New home for the arts
By Chris Walker (Contact)
Originally published 02:05 p.m., February 19, 2008
Updated 02:05 p.m., February 19, 2008
The Emporia Arts Council is raising money for a new building, which will be built just north of the Granada Theatre on Commercial Street. Melissa Windsor, executive director of the council, answered some questions about the project and about the council’s activities.
Q How much money are you trying to raise and where will your new building be?
A We will be purchasing the buildings north of the Granada, which is where Dayton’s and Tallgrass frame shop are currently located. It will likely be a demolition project. Our total campaign is $2.6 million and we have currently raised $1.8 million.
Q What’s wrong with your current building?
A Our current facilities are not handicapped-accessible and there is no space for growth. Right now we have a clay studio that can house four wheels, but the ventilation is an issue. That space is not properly ventilated so we could never have an artist in residence or hold classes for a long period of time. We can’t offer glazing because we don’t have the space for it. We don’t have space for art classes. Our bathrooms are not handicapped-accessible and we really want our space accessible for all to enjoy. So that is just a small list of what we need, but the new building addresses all these issues.
Q Tell us about the Maybee Challenge and why the next two weeks are important to your fundraising campaign?
A The next couple of weeks are critical because if we can raise $2.2 million before the first part of March the Mabee Foundation will give us $330,000. Mabee is from Tulsa, Oklahoma, so this is money from outside our community and outside our state that we can bring to our community to help us have a wonderful arts center. Right now we are diligently working to get that completed.
Q Why is it helpful to have the arts council next to the Granada Theatre?
A We obviously have a need for space for the professional performances that we bring to town. We also have the Young Thespian Players and young community groups that use our facility and they need rehearsal space. Being next door lets people move the sets back and forth between the two spaces. We also know having them next door can also enhance convention opportunities for the Granada and we can offer our space for break-out sessions.
Q How many people does the arts council serve?
A Last year we served over 8,700 children and 10,000 adults. I know over the life of the arts council we have served 180,000 adults and over 100,000 children. The arts are important. They are important for business, economic development and our community.
How arts building would be used
The proposed new Emporia Arts Center will have a lot more space than the current building. How will that space be used? Plans call for these features:
Basement
• Two large studios.
• A clay studio.
• A kiln room.
• A glaze room.
• An arts library.
• A theatrical scene shop.
• Several offices.
First Floor
• Reception area.
• Conference room.
• Gallery space.
• A gallery storage and work room.
• A retail shop.
• Kitchen and pantry.
Second Floor
• A small theater for live performances and rehearsals.
• Two art studios.
• Two offices.
• For information about the project or to make a donation, call Windsor at 343-6473.
Comments
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Posted by Absolute (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where are Daytons and Tallgrass going to go?
Posted by create (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dayton's and Tallgrass are moving to the Outfitter's building just north of Graves. They will call it Dayton's presents Plum Bazaar. That should have been mentioned in the article out of fairness to Daytons and Tallgrass, Chris Walker. Now we know.
Posted by karmadog (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A clay studio and kiln in the basement? She thinks she's got ventilation problems now, just wait. As usual, it sounds like the EAC has headed into a project without much thought. It might serve them well to, at the very least, visit with some visual artists who could advise the center on best practises and use of space when it comes to studios and classrooms. I wish them well, when all said and done, here's hoping it will attract more people and visitors to the downtown. Yes, the Gazette should have mentioned the relocation plans for Tallgrass and Dayton's.
Posted by cwalker (Chris Walker) on February 25, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good point.
I would have been happy to mention it in the article however Melissa did not mention where they were moving during the interview.
Thanks
Chris
Posted by create (anonymous) on February 25, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did you ask?
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