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There is a perennial need for space when it comes to the arts. Specialized performance <br /> and rehearsal space, gallery and studio space is hard to come by as is enough meeting and <br /> teaching facilities. Locating multiple entities focused on culture, history and heritage in one <br /> building, such as the Whitted Building, would encourage a dynamic exchange of ideas and <br /> consolidate resources. Revenue from ticket sales and commissions from artwork could help <br /> such a facility sustain itself. Visitors attending performances or an exhibit in a community <br /> gallery space would patronize local restaurants and other businesses downtown. But beyond <br /> immediate benefits to the town, a cultural arts center in Hillsborough would also provide more <br /> access to the arts for the growing and currently under-sewed northern part of the county. <br /> Final Pitch for Center in Hillsborough: <br /> As an artist and arts advocate in Orange County, I strongly support the creation of a <br /> cultural arts center in Hillsborough. The time is right. The momentum for developing a cultural <br /> center is not coming from the arts community alone. Speaking for the mission of Culture Zone <br /> to increase the visibility of the cultural resources of our community to a national audience, and <br /> for the many local artists who would certainly benefit from such a facility, I urge the <br /> Commissioners to recognize the serious economic benefit of the cultural arts and to join with us <br /> to help expand the possibilities in Orange County. <br /> Michael Malone said that he has been working with the numbers of the groups to help <br /> bring about the use of the Whitted Building as a cultural center. He asked those in support of <br /> this endeavor to stand. He is a novelist and he teaches at Duke and lives in Hillsborough. He <br /> wrote an article about a year ago for the Orange County Tourism Board called "Falling in Love <br /> with Hillsborough," which has happened to him. He said that there is wonderfully long and rich <br /> history in Hillsborough. There are a lot of local arts. He said that one of the reasons to love a <br /> place like Hillsborough and all of northern Orange County is its diversity. He spoke of different <br /> events in Hillsborough such as parades and Last Fridays events, etc. He said that it would be <br /> wonderful to have a place in which to have art. He said that what this group has talked about is <br /> possible. <br /> Renee Price announced that the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission, in <br /> conjunction with the Historical Foundation of Hillsborough are celebrating Historic Preservation <br /> Month next month, and they are sponsoring a photography contest. The winners will be <br /> announced next week at Last Friday and the photography will be on exhibit at the museum <br /> through the month of May. <br /> Rev. Robert Campbell began reading the same letter that he read at the previous <br /> meeting at 5:30 p.m., but Chair Jacobs stopped him. Rev. Campbell said that when the <br /> neighborhood was discussing construction in the Rogers Road-Eubanks neighborhood, they <br /> were asking that when construction began on any project, that the neighborhood would be <br /> notified. There are several projects going on, and the neighborhood has not been notified of <br /> construction. He asked that the County go back to the promises that were made. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked what construction Rev. Campbell was referring to and he said the <br /> Solid Waste Administration Building and the Animal Services Center. He said that there is <br /> increased traffic now, but no increased patrol, and he is concerned about the safety of the <br /> streets. <br /> Chair Jacobs made reference to the Whitted Building and said that there will not be any <br /> moving from the building for at least a year because the new library must be built first. Social <br /> Services will be moving also, and the space must be renovated before this department can <br /> move. He said that the Board certainly heard the concerns and will take it under advisement. <br />