David O. Cook, president of the museum's board of trustees, said when city officials sat down with museum staff and explained the need for the switch, they made a convincing case.

"(City officials) sat us down and explained to us their need for this money," he said. "They explained their need well and we could see it so we acquiesced. . . . We feel like the city has been very fair with us."

In years past, the association has purchased two to three new pieces each year for its Spring Salon. Cook said if the museum is unable to make up the money somewhere else, it would likely purchase less, but he is confident the museum will find the funds to avoid that.

One option the association will consider, Cook said, is raising the rental rate, which he said is below market value.

Swanson, meanwhile, said he is confident the museum will be able to cover the loss "and then some," and refuses to fret over an amount that represents less than 3 percent of the art association's budget.

"I'm not worried, but I'm concerned," Swanson said. "I'm not going to worry about it, because it makes my morale go down, and the museum is thriving because of high morale. . . . If you're so close that you can't do without 2 1/2 percent, you're going to stay up at night worrying, and then you're going to get burned out," he said.

Natalie Petersen, the museum's assistant director, echoes Swanson's enthusiasm and said the museum has other revenue sources to which it can turn, from grants to private donations.

"We'll find it somewhere else," she said.

---

E-mail: jtwitchell@desnews.com