The Olympian today has an article about the release of a Feasibility Report for a Community Arts Center in Olympia. As an example of the one-dimensional nature of old media, the article focuses almost solely on the cost of such a center and completely overlooks the actually recommendations of the report. Here they are.

Recommended Overall Concept

Based upon our research and analysis to date, ERA developed the following guiding principles upon which the Olympia community arts center preliminary concept was developed. These principles are as follows:

• ERA believes that the mission of an arts center in Olympia should be broad enough to include a range of arts programs and genres. One of the strengths of the arts community in Olympia is its diversity, and a community arts center needs to be able to incorporate and reflect this diversity.
• The space needs to be flexible in order to accommodate a variety of activities. Generally speaking, ERA does not believe that any expensive, single use areas that cannot be used in a flexible manner should be included.
• Based on our review of the existing Olympia arts community, it is ERA’s opinion that there is a need for a high quality, medium sized exhibit area that can be open and accessible to the public during normal operating hours and accommodate a range of arts exhibitions.
• ERA believes that there are adequate performing arts facilities in existence in Olympia. While these facilities may seem too expensive for certain performing arts groups, ERA does not believe the affordability issue can be solved with the development of another performing arts facility.
• The arts center needs to be financially viable on an operating basis, and as such, should be designed to maximize earned income potential. ERA assumes that there is no capital cost debt to cover once the facility is operating.
• A new 501(c)3 organization should be created that would allow the arts center to fundraise. Possibilities include having the arts center run by a new non-profit, by the City of Olympia, or a hybrid between these two options. ERA does not believe that an existing arts organization should manage the arts center. There are various advantages to different management structures. The facility itself and the land could be owned by the City and leased to the non-profit on a long-term lease basis for a nominal fee (i.e. $1 per year) or just owned by the City, depending upon the management structure.
• The arts center should offer a variety of classes and workshops for amateur and professional artists as well as the general public.
• There is an opportunity to provide curriculum-related school programs that could result in eligibility for public and private grants.
• It is ERA’s preliminary opinion that some limited general use studio space should be provided, but private studios should not be available for rent on a long-term basis.
• One of the strengths of Olympia is its beautiful environment, particularly along the waterfront. ERA believes that an arts center should be located on a site that maximizes Olympia’s waterfront location. It should also be located centrally, close to other cultural facilities in the downtown.

Read the whole report here.