Moderator Susan Kohler-Gray outlines discussion points
(See gallery to left for forum photos)
Attended the latest Academy of Music forum held at the Northampton Center for the Arts, Sunday March 25. The focal point of the conversation has drifted from the Academy proper to the greater Arts environment in Northampton and that has left a trail of unanswered questions regarding the recent history of the Academy, which was not mentioned for the most part. The crowd of about 200 who attended the first forum dwindled to about 60 this time around and many of these were supporters of the arts community, members of the Northampton City Council, members of the Academy Board, and its Finance subcommittee.
The event was co-sponsored by the Northampton Arts Council, the Northampton Center for the Arts, and the Academy of Music Board of Trustees. Council President Mike Bardsley began with opening remarks and Susan Kohler-Gray again moderated the forum and did a nice job of keeping us on point, even if we didn’t all agree on what that point should be.
Forum rules were again outlined and Board President Andrew Crystal read through a list of upcoming events and stated there are eight requests for future use of the theatre though this morning the Gazette is reporting 80 so perhaps I didn’t hear that correctly. He indicated “all of the local nonprofit arts groups” are working with the Academy and outlined the 5-year agreement with WGBY, which includes a $50 thousand loan and the obligation of providing 10 performing arts programs annually in exchange for free office space and fundraising assistance. In addition there is a gala benefit planned and an application to the Mass. Cultural Council for a new marquee is in progress as well. He reported that the popcorn buckets passed around during Four Sundays in February raised $3,700 in cash donations and that the Young at Heart Chorus raised $2,500. He further stated there are two seats open on the Academy Board and that they are looking for individuals to apply for seats on the Advisory Committee as well. He said no one is volunteering.
Mayor Higgins took a turn at the lectern and indicated the city was taking over bill-paying responsibilities and will provide the Academy $50 thousand for electricity and oil expenses. She mentioned “the city” must determine whether to support the Academy additionally with staff.
As the live discussion portion of the meeting commenced members of the audience debated whether the Academy should abandon hope for showing films in favor of live performances or to try and accommodate both. No clear consensus was reached so the future nature of the Academy remains up for discussion. Larry Jackson who helped redevelop the three-screen Amherst Cinema indicated that the same consulting group that informed Academy Trustees that showing films is not financially viable delivered the same information incorrectly to his Amherst group. He said the only problem the Amherst Cinema is now experiencing is not enough seats. Others spoke of attendance at live shows and movies and whether the interior of the building could be altered and how if so. Ken Mitchell suggested sketches of alternate uses of Academy space would be helpful.
Several members of the audience felt that there has been too much focus on one building, that the Northampton Center for the Arts is losing its space in six years, and artists are leaving the community for more affordable locations.
Former Academy Manager Duane Robinson stated that the Academy could never generate surplus funds under the former deed arrangement because all surplus funds would need to be invested in the building’s deferred maintenance needs. Jackie Misa suggested the Academy is “clopened” and that Community Preservation Act funds were available as a future source of monies for the building’s stabilization.
With regards to fundraising Lois Ahrens spoke of the need to increase the ratio of unearned income to operating income to an 80/20 ratio, a figure disputed by Mayor Higgins who maintains a 60/40 ratio is the norm. Academy Finance Committee member Peter Whalen stated that the Academy needs about $150 thousand in annual fundraising to survive because programming in general will never be profitable. Susan Stubbs added that fundraising should be tied to a broader base of people and uses. Attorney Leah Kunkel explained that the reasoning behind the conversion of the Board to a nonprofit was in order to secure grants and she lobbied on behalf of a local meals tax that could help support the Arts community in general.
Claudia Lefko mentioned that the community lacks a feeling of ownership of the Academy and that not enough people have “been tapped.” Doug Leduc of Chesterfield spoke and stated that there needs to be a synergy created with the community outside of the Arts.
Though I had to depart a half hour early, it seemed the discussion could have gone on for many hours more, and that might be exactly what the Academy needs.
