Founders Heather Santos and Teresa Anderson-Myers have established Pursuit Co., a non-profit organization dedicated to reviving community education programs in Salt Lake City. The initiative follows the Salt Lake City School District's decision to end its adult programming due to financial constraints last spring.
The decision to terminate the programs was driven by sustainability issues and logistical challenges. Highland principal Jeremy Chatterton stated during a press conference this month that the school system faced issues regarding additional people in the building, the need for staff to clean up after classes, and wear and tear on facilities. While the program previously provided funding for the school system before the pandemic, recent years saw classes barely generating enough to cover instructor pay.
Pursuit Co. successfully opened classes for the summer session, offering subjects such as flower arrangement and step dancing. However, the founders reported that finding new students remains a challenge, as many working adults find it difficult to prioritize classes like Taekwondo or bee keeping over other responsibilities. Additionally, the use of school facilities presents limitations on available space for certain specialized classes.
The move to start Pursuit Co. was prompted by Santos and Anderson-Myers' desire to preserve the community and traditions formed within the previous watercolor classes. The founders spent the summer researching insurance, applying for loans, and coordinating with school administration to launch the program.
The founders remain focused on providing opportunities for adult growth and exploration. While they are open to funneling proceeds back into the school system, their primary mission remains serving the adult community.
