Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
It would include at least one stage for theater and oratory and a place where acting <br /> troupes could hold rehearsals. There would be classroom space for lectures and other forms of <br /> cultural education. <br /> Yes, this is a dream, but without this dream, we become a cultural wasteland. Alas, we <br /> live in an era in which the arts are not only woefully and embarrassingly under-funded, but <br /> increasingly ignored and debased in both our schools and our daily lives. <br /> There is talk that the Whitted Building is being considered for office space, but office <br /> space can go virtually anywhere. However, with its large auditorium and plethora of rooms, the <br /> Whitted Building is an ideal, ready-made building for a center that could provide our extended <br /> community with the cultural resources it so desperately needs. <br /> Thank you for your time and consideration." <br /> Gordon Jameson read a prepared statement: <br /> "I'm an artist living in Hillsborough. I'm on the board of the Orange County Artists Guild, <br /> which has 119 artist members and holds the popular Open Studio Tour every November. I am <br /> also on the board of Arts Advocates, a small group working to establish a non-profit, <br /> professionally-run gallery to promote Orange County visual artists. In addition, for six years, <br /> from 2000 to 2007, I served on the Orange County Arts Commission Board and was Chair for <br /> two of those years. <br /> Mission of Culture Zone: <br /> Right now I am Chair of a new arts organization called Carolina Culture Zone. The <br /> mission of Culture Zone is to promote the corridor encompassing Hillsborough, Carrboro, <br /> Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro as a premier arts destination. In order to market the area to a <br /> regional and national audience-there must be synergy between the partners—the arts <br /> organizations, the business sector and local governments. Culture Zone seeks to bring these <br /> •entities together for our mutual benefit and to better serve our growing population. A cultural <br /> center in Hillsborough would be a welcome addition to broad vision of making Orange and <br /> Chatham County a destination for the cultural tourist. <br /> Benefit of our cultural assets: <br /> There is a wealth of cultural capital in our community. Over 1,400 artists of all kinds are <br /> listed in the Orange County Arts Commissioner's database. We have painter, photographers, <br /> film-makers, poets, writers, musicians, dancers, fine craft artists. We have an opera company <br /> specializing in American opera, a distinguished pottery industry, and a number of nationally <br /> known artists. We also have valuable historic buildings and sites in the area that are often <br /> open to the public and require the support of the community. <br /> Appreciation to these cultural assets has a significant economic impact on Orange <br /> County. According to the Orange County Office of Economic Development, total visitor <br /> spending in the county was $127.2 million in 2007. A study by Regional Technologies <br /> Strategies last year found that of all the factors with potential influence on the level of <br /> expenditures by tourists, ONLY the percentage of arts and design workers was found to have a <br /> significant positive impact. Arts and historical attractions help to express what is different about <br /> our area. Visitors come here looking for authenticity, for the character of a place, for unique <br /> attractions. A vibrant cultural center would act as a magnet for visitors. <br /> Needs of artists and performers, building use: <br />