Agenda - 08-19-2008 - 4a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

5 1 There is a perennial need for space when it comes to the arts. Specialized performance 2 and rehearsal space, gallery and studio space is hard to come by as is enough meeting and 3 teaching facilities. Locating multiple entities focused on culture, history and heritage in one 4 building, such as the Whiffed Building, would encourage a dynamic exchange of ideas and 5 consolidate resources. Revenue from ticket sales and commissions from artwork could help 6 such a facility sustain itself. Visitors attending performances or an exhibit in a community 7 gallery space would patronize local restaurants and other businesses downtown. But beyond 8 immediate benefits to the town, a cultural arts center in Hillsborough would also provide more 9 access to the arts for the growing and currently under -served northern part of the county. 10 11 Final Pitch for Center in Hillsborough: 12 13 As an artist and arts advocate in Orange County, I strongly support the creation of a 14 cultural arts center in Hillsborough. The time is right. The momentum for developing a cultural 15 center is not coming from the arts community alone. Speaking for the mission of Culture Zone 16 to increase the visibility of the cultural resources of our community to a national audience, and 17 for the many local artists who would certainly benefit from such a facility, I urge the 18 Commissioners to recognize the serious economic benefit of the cultural arts and to join with us 19 to help expand the possibilities in Orange County. 20 21 Michael Malone said that he has been working with the numbers of the groups to help 22 bring about the use of the Whiffed Building as a cultural center. He asked those in support of 23 this endeavor to stand. He is a novelist and he teaches at Duke and lives in Hillsborough. He 24 wrote an article about a year ago for the Orange County Tourism Board called "Falling in Love 25 with Hillsborough," which has happened to him. He said that there is wonderfully long and rich 26 history in Hillsborough. There are a lot of local arts. He said that one of the reasons to love a 27 place like Hillsborough and all of northern Orange County is its diversity. He spoke of different 28 events in Hillsborough such as parades and Last Fridays events, etc. He said that it would be 29 wonderful to have a place in which to have art. He said that what this group has talked about is 30 possible. 31 Renee Price announced that the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission, in 32 conjunction with the Historical Foundation of Hillsborough are celebrating Historic Preservation 33 Month next month, and they are sponsoring a photography contest. The winners will be 34 announced next week at Last Friday and the photography will be on exhibit at the museum 35 through the month of May. 36 Rev. Robert Campbell began reading the same letter that he read at the previous 37 meeting at 5:30 p.m., but Chair Jacobs stopped him. Rev. Campbell said that when the 38 neighborhood was discussing construction in the Rogers Road - Eubanks neighborhood, they 39 were asking that when construction began on any project, that the neighborhood would be 40 notified. There are several projects going on, and the neighborhood has not been noted of 41 construction. He asked that the County go back to the promises that were made. 42 Chair Jacobs asked what construction Rev. Campbell was referring to and he said the 43 Solid Waste Administration Building and the Animal Services Center. He said that there is 44 increased traffic now, but no increased patrol, and he is concerned about the safety of the 45 streets. 46 Chair Jacobs made reference to the Whiffed Building and said that there will not be any 47 moving from the building for at least a year because the new library must be built first. Social 48 Services will be moving also, and the space must be renovated before this department can 49 move. He said that the Board certainly heard the concerns and will take it under advisement. 50