Changes are afoot for the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (LHPAI), which has been working for the past year with The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) to develop a plan for long-term operations. The institute announced this week that the plan will include LHPAI transitioning to a self-sustaining nonprofit arts organization in five years.

LHPAI has operated under the city’s umbrella since 1971, and with ARTS specifically since 2012. But with the city’s help, LHPAI will secure 501(c)(3) status, create a board of directors, and add capacity for fundraising, programming, and staffing. During this transition, the city will gradually decrease its funding to LHPAI. The plan is for nonprofit status to be secured by 2016, and the organization to be fully independent by 2018.

The city plans to continue owning and maintaining the building LHPAI operates in and will be financially responsible for major maintenance.

“I’m pleased with the level of support the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute has received from the city over the last year,” said LHPAI executive director Royal Alley-Barnes. “The ability to expand our financial capacity has intriguing possibilities. Flexing our artistic wings to further support the LHPAI mission in ways that could not happen within the city structure is exciting and the possibilities are enlivening.”