Crossroads Carnegie Art Center is in the midst of a two-year program with the DeVos Institute for Art Management, based in Washington, D.C.

Crossroads was asked to apply last year and received notification of acceptance in September, joining 16 other arts organizations in Oregon and southwest Washington.

The philosophy of the program is that “bold, effective programming generates enthusiasm and gets more people involved,” said Claudette Donlon, chief operating officer of the DeVos Institute for Arts Management.

“It becomes a cycle that allows the organization to grow and flourish,” she said.

Donlon is the mentor assigned to guide Crossroads through the two-year program. She is the senior administrator who oversees the DeVos Institute’s financial, human resources and operational systems.

Donlon visited Baker City on March 15 to meet with Crossroads’ staff and board members.

“We help inform the process,” she said.

During the two years, Crossroads director Ginger Savage and members of the board will participate in three seminars and five online master classes. A mentor — Donlon, in this case -— will call once a month and visit in person several times.

The DeVos program is funded by 11 foundations, which means there is no cost to the participating organizations.

Of the 16 participants, Savage said Crossroads has the smallest operating budget. However, this program provides exposure for this rural art center, especially because the funding foundations receive regular progress reports.

“We have Crossroads’ name going out to the biggest foundations,” Savage said. “It gives you great connections and networking.”

Donlon is also working with Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario and the Pendleton Art Center.

Although Crossroads may be a smaller entity, Donlon said all arts organizations are concerned with membership and fundraising.

“Everyone struggles with the same issues, just on a different scale,” she said.

The DeVos Institute was founded by Michael M. Kaiser, who was president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. from 2001 to 2014.

According to the DeVos website, during those 13 years Kaiser “expanded the educational and artistic programming for the United States’ center for the performing arts, oversaw a major renovation effort of most of the Center’s theaters, and led the nation in arts management training.”

Kaiser’s association was a big plus for Savage.

“I’ve read everything this man has written,” she said.