Seven months after the oldest arts nonprofit on Bainbridge Island nearly closed its doors for good, the organization is getting back on its feet — including the recent hiring of a new executive director.

Jennifer Albrecht will now lead Bainbridge Arts & Crafts. Former executive director Susan Jackson recently came out of retirement to serve as volunteer interim executive director until BAC could recover financially.

“We’re so grateful for Susan Jackson’s incredible support and creative energy this year,” says Ellin Spenser, BAC board president. “The search for an incoming leader who could not only nurture BAC’s legacy but also steer it in exciting new directions was a responsibility the board took very seriously. We’re thrilled to welcome Jen Albrecht, whose commitment to deepening BAC’s connections with the community — artists and art lovers alike — will help carry us into our next exciting stage of growth.”

Albrecht brings over two decades of business leadership, strategic planning experience, and team building expertise to BAC, a news release states. She and her family made Bainbridge Island their home ten years ago, and she is looking forward to strengthening her ties to Bainbridge Island’s vibrant cultural community.

“Art has the power to spark curiosity, conversation, and connection and BAC is uniquely positioned to do all three,” says Albrecht. “I’m excited to partner with the staff, board, and community to build on this incredible legacy and contribute to a bold, inclusive future for the arts on Bainbridge.”

Through a staff of nearly all volunteers, the dedicated assistance of other arts groups on the island and management from several former leaders of the organization, BAC is steadily returning to a state of equilibrium.

The 77-year-old arts nonprofit hit financial bedrock in fall of 2024, but by cutting staffing and programming costs and focusing on revenue-generating programs, BAC is “out of intensive care, and almost out of the hospital completely,” said Jackson.

“Absolutely it is [a challenge]. It started out by being like, ‘Oh, let’s build the pyramids with a spoon,’ and it continues to grow. I feel like we’re on firm footing, but we don’t know what the financial future is for the world, and the minute the economy turns around, then people stop buying art, and it stops being such a viable business,” Jackson said. “But it is today, I can tell you that. I’m grateful for the tourists that come to town…because a whole lot of people are coming in and buying things, and we’re shipping things, and all of that is like the old days when things were really going well.”

When functioning at full capacity, BAC has myriad programs that encourage community members on Bainbridge and in Kitsap County to pursue careers in the arts or craftsmanship, the same mission it was founded on back in 1948.

What began as a small group of islanders teaching each other skills grew over time into BAC. Today, the organization hosts up to 250 local artist exhibitions a year, including many artists’ first-ever displays; provides over 100 free workshops annually for seniors, community members and in schools; offers scholarships and awards to students pursuing careers in the arts and supplements art supplies in classrooms.

The nonprofit historically relied on art sales, donations and grants to fund its outreach, but costs began to outpace its income. Former director Debra Ruzinsky noted that by the time she stepped into the role in 2020, BAC was already dipping into its savings to offset its operating costs. In 2018, the organization’s budget was about $819,000; by 2024, it was down to $600,000. Ruzinsky attributed the organization’s financial challenges to leaner, more competitive arts grants and unpredictable art sales from a changing community on BI.

Date aside, the cost-savings plan is underway at BAC. Out of 13 staff at the organization, nine are volunteers, including Jackson. It’s holding fewer programs, but still sends artists to the senior center and schools, and will add an in-house workshop in August. A “Collector’s Auction” in January featuring exclusive art donated by locally famous artists was fruitful, and BAC kicked off a second month-long “Collector’s Auction” July 5.