Each week we select a news story, editorial, Letter to the Editor or column that's generated a lot of feedback at PostBulletin.com and reprint some of those comments on this page. This week's topic is Wednesday's news story about the funding shortfall at the Rochester Art Center. The Rochester City Council recently denied the center's request for an additional $23,000 to cover operating expenses, and now the center's director has said the facility could be at risk of closure if the funds cannot be raised.
Below are some of the comments we received.
"I’m not much of an art lover, but this seems like an imperative for a town our size, and the amount of money doesn’t sound great. Can we combine facilities with another organization, the Children’s Museum, for example?"
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"The Rochester Art Center needs to restructure its entire operation and there should be close examination where the money is going. There are way too many full-time staff members. The price they charge for private events is the most expensive in the area, and they nickle and dime businesses and individuals for everything in that space. The private events should be a major revenue driver for the art center, but people go elsewhere as they are difficult to work with and too expensive. Operational costs need to be revised, instead of threatening to close the center entirely. If it's not sustainable for the long term, then yes, it should be shut down."
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"If everyone that uses, or has used, the art center will just send in a few bucks each, there would be more than enough. If you use it, pay up."
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"And this is exactly where philanthropy comes into play. Those who support the Art Center need to put their money where their mouths are and pony up. There's plenty of bucks in Rochester, so time for some of these people to dig in their pockets and support the Art Center."
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"Seems to me that a city that can come up with funding or grants for lights in a crosswalk or bus stops that are heated and change colors should be able to help with funding or grants for the Art Center."
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"We can continue to build new facilities that we do not have the money to operate, until the council/county board finally gets the idea. Now we are building a new senior center or at least calling the expansion to the rec enter such, but what are the operating costs of that facility and how are they funded? Two new maintenance facilities, how do operating costs compare to the old? When do we see answers to this kind of budgeting?"
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"Two semesters ago, I actually had the privilege of doing an art study, through one of my courses at RCTC, at the Art Center. This really doesn't seem like a lot of money, so I hope they figure it out. I happen to know a person who works there, one of my instructors, and I do know that shutting this place down, would affect him directly."
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"I knew when they added the tin foil wing to the structure that they couldn't sustain funding the operation. You can spot these disasters coming miles away."
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"Rochester values lavish bus shelters over the arts. Each shelter cost a reportedly $300,000, but now they don't have a relatively meager $23,000 to keep the Arts Center open. Go figure."
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"Seems like a place where the Legacy Amendment funds could be put to use."
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"There are 11 staff members listed on the Rochester Art Center website. They are saying that if they don't get $23,000 by September they are going to close the doors? This sounds like a tactic to me to scare the public into donating money."
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"Congrats to the city council for fighting to balance the budget. $21K isn't that much, but it's the principle here. Everyone wants to have art work all over the place, but those same people should help support it financially. If it doesn't work, then shut it down. If there's demand, somebody will open a privately funded gallery and make it work."
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"They should look at other options. Shorter operating hours? One fewer on staff? Furlough days? Closing sounds a bit dramatic."
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"I also agree $23,000 isn't much; however, this is probably just the first request. There would inevitably be more behind this one. Time for an overhaul of dollars going out that door. You may just find more than you could have dreamed of there."
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"Frankly, the Art Center's leadership should use this as an opportunity. They could say they are going to reduce salaries to keep everyone employed and keep the doors open, but in exchange will offer profit-sharing for bringing in increased business. Thank you, city council, for holding the line on this. For those who are offended and think they need additional funding, please contact the art center as they will be happy to accept private donations."
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"If they charged less rent for their space, they would definitely book more events. They have a lovely space, but it is very expensive. Our department would love to hold events there, but we just can't justify it."
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"Don't worry, folks. The Art Center will not close its doors if they can't come up with $23,000."
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"Last week I donated $5 to get in the Art Center. I say donated because I live in Olmsted County, and they don't charge for Olmsted County residents. They had a very small exhibit of Tony Tasset's works. They were fun to look at, but there were only about 8. Another 'exhibit' was a dead blue jay on the floor, on its side. This is not art. Give me a break. Big building with not much in it. The art center is a business. Run it like one."
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