Carpe Diem Inc. re-opens as not-for-profit organization

COLUMBIA — After closing its doors Nov. 1, Carpe Diem Inc. of Columbia has been reborn as a Missouri not-for-profit organization.

The new status of the downtown arts center was made official  Nov. 15.

Director Dianna Long said her goodbyes to Carpe Diem when she believed its doors would be closed for good after an 18-month run of providing Columbia with arts and culture events. Carpe Diem will continue to operate at 806 Locust St.

"I had a business partner that was not able to continue," Long said, referring to former co-director Alex Innecco. "I just thought I couldn't run it myself, but I really wasn't ready to close."

As a not-for-profit organization, Carpe Diem will be able to take donations and is eligible for arts grants, which Long said will expand its programming.

"This way, I can have volunteer assistance," she said. "I can expand our mission and offer more varied types of programming."