Arts and cultural center found to have strong support
10/16/2005
Published in The Times-Leader Oct 16, 2005
By Shelley Pearce, Chairperson Cultural Council of Luzerne County
We are pleased to report the findings of a preliminary feasibility study on establishing a non-profit arts and cultural center in downtown Wilkes-Barre indicate that the support and leadership exists to make this important project successful.
In April, the Cultural Council of Luzerne County and Artspace, the leading national arts development firm from Minneapolis, undertook a study to determine whether the support existed to establish a home for local artists and arts organizations. Artspace conducted an inclusive and comprehensive two-day study in April that involved open forums with artists, citizens, and community and governmental leaders.
Artspace concluded that based largely on strong local leadership, the city’s current revitalization efforts, the possibility for public funding, and the need for a community center to make more prominent the city’s already rich cultural scene, that the Cultural Council “move forward into the next phase of the pre-development.” This is incredibly good news because an arts and cultural center where local artists, including musicians, dancers and actors, can work together to create and exhibit their work will have an enormously positive impact on our quality of life.
Not only would a center support the existing rich cultural heritage but also serve as a powerful magnet for attracting people downtown. We had hoped to share the results of this study in June, but the complexity of the project delayed the final report until August. In addition, over the past two months, there have been conversations with city leaders about the best way for an arts and cultural center to be incorporated into the development of the county and the city of Wilkes-Barre.
The leaders of our region have shown great support for this project and I am inspired by their collaborative efforts. On behalf of the Cultural Council of Luzerne County, I want to extend our gratitude for the time and effort they have given to this exciting project. The national consultants, with whom we have worked, see great potential and have urged the region to move forward.
There have been many people who have quietly stood behind this effort over the past 18 months.
While the Cultural Council has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this project to the forefront, members of the region, including the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, artists, educational institutions, representatives from the city, county, state, foundations, private donors and corporations have all voiced and offered support and inspiration for this endeavor.
For a variety of reasons, at this moment in time we are poised, both politically, and privately, to see this project come to fruition. It’s time we had a community cultural center that will engage and illuminate the fine talent of our region, elevate the city and surrounding communities economically and socially, and help create a sense of place where education and appreciation of the arts will impact generations to come.
There is an enormous amount of work to be done and we will need the continued support of the entire community.
There are many ways one can contribute to this endeavor, but the first and most important element, is to believe, we as a community, are worthy of such a significant project.
For more information, to become involved, or to access the Artspace Report, please call 408-4439 or email cclc@wilkes.edu. We will continue to update the community on our progress.
