Soundings exhibition fails to raise enough funds for print issue

Photo by Florence Wei

The Soundings Art and Literary held its second exhibition on March 1 to fund the annual print issue. The exhibition was estimated to fundraise about $2,000, but massively fell short at $311. After a successful first exhibition in 2023 that raised about $2,000, the Soundings staff continued the exhibition this year with similar features: school library tables showcased student-created works, including poetry, short stories, paintings and photographs. A quartet played in the background. Money was raised through food and ticket sales. 

Soundings doesn’t receive funds from the school as it is an independent publication. Editor-in-chief Anika Kapasi said in previous years, funds were made from the sale of yearbook senior ads, which generated roughly $20,000 for the Soundings and Newspaper programs. However, after the pandemic, the publication struggled to raise enough funds due to yearbook senior ad sales dropping drastically. 

Typically, the magazine produces one print issue each year in the spring; this year, the magazine expanded to include a winter online issue. 

Prior to the exhibition, the Soundings staff spent three months gathering submissions, going through editing cycles and publishing the online issue. In the last few weeks, staff were given roles to advertise the coming exhibition.

“We wanted people to buy tickets ahead of time so we could estimate whether or not the exhibition would be a success,” Kapasi said.

Now, Soundings is looking to raise funds by asking for grants from outside organizations like the Saratoga Rotary Club and PTSO. The publication already secured $500 from PTSO, and the parent group is interested in making this a renewable grant. Next year, the staff is also planning to collaborate with the ceramics class to sell donated pieces.  

“Even though we didn’t make as many funds as last year, I’m confident we’ll find other ways to get enough for the print issue,” Kapasi said.