Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Board Presentation - MAC 2014

Recently I presented to our Board of Trustees an overview of the McAninch Arts Center. This was intended to be a short and concise view of the MAC: its history, operation and our plans for the future when we come out of our present reorganization. As much as I vainly dislike how I appear on video (remember the camera and the 10 pound rule), I think these 15 minutes are of value if you wish to better understand the MAC. If you have a question or comment - please let us know.

be well
Stephen

5 comments:

  1. Great presentation.

    I really can't wait for the MAC to reopen and start providing the kinds of artistic events that makes me love COD so much!

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    1. Thanks. We've started the 365 day count down until we start the move back in. See you in April 2014.
      Best
      Stephen

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  2. Why is the Arts Center now being mandated to operate without auxiliary funding from the College, but the professional restaurant, wine cellar, and homeland security (all with no academic value) are allowed to lose millions?

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    1. Thanks for the comments.

      All of the College's auxiliary operations, the big three being WDCB, The MAC and Waterleaf, are being asked to decrease our end of year deficits. Each operation cost the College last year $500,000 plus to support for a total of $1.6 million. The College has stated for the record that they are committed to having and supporting all three operations because all have value to the campus and the community. Our charge going forward is to continue to present great cultural events but close the deficits through increases in contrinuted revenue and smart fiscal management.

      That's what we plan to do.
      Best
      Stephen

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  3. It's so sad that the College is withdrawing support for the New Philharmonic and Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. Seems like this "new model" means most of what will occur in the Mac going forward will be more of the over-amplified pop sludge that has been taking over more and more the last few years, while quality arts fall away. There's so much potential for the arts in DuPage County, but moves like this start to take it back to typical suburban wasteland status. The New Philharmonic is a GEM and Kirk is a genius. Yes, orchestras are expensive - and it requires much more funding than ticket sales to keep them running, even though I doubt that the players get paid much, especially considering the work it takes to become performers at that level! I will take what I have in the past donated to the Center and donate it to the New Philharmonic (hard to justify a contribution to the Center when there's been so little programming the past 2 years and the other programming is catering more to mass pop culture), but I believe it's going to take a lot more than small community contributors. Very sad.

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