Jasper Arts: Potential library partnership discussed
The Jasper Arts Board met Tuesday evening and discussed a recent meeting held with members of the Jasper Library Board to discuss their future collaboration.
Arts Board Chair Mike Jones gave the board an update on the pursuit of the Hoosier Desk Building to accommodate the Jasper Arts Center and the Jasper Library.
Mike Jones, Kit Miracle, Dean Vonderheide of the Library Board and City Attorney Renee Kabrick all met earlier on Tuesday to assess the feasibility of both entities using the space in the facility.
Jones said, “we began by going through the needs of the library and then, Kit and I shared the needs (for the Arts Center) and we saw places where we could cross over.”
Common areas like an open courtyard were mentioned as usable space for both entities along with restrooms, classrooms and entryways.
Jones says that one of the big draws to using the facility is that it has abundant open spaces usable by both groups.
Kabrick reported that the phase one environmental study on the Hoosier Desk site is completed. The study is about 300 pages or so in length.
Phase two of the environmental study is underway and should be done yet this week with EPA approval. She said that asbestos and lead paint testing is next to be completed on the site.
During the meeting, the board also approved raising the prices on their Backstage series tickets to make up for lost revenues.
Arts Director Kit Miracle reports that their goal is to break even on all shows and they are mostly successful in that, however, the Backstage series has been consistently losing money.
Single ticket prices are currently $22.00 for adult, $20.00 for seniors and $15.00 for students. Prices will now increase. Single ticket prices will be $25.00 for adults, $22.00 for seniors and $15.00 for students and the series prices to $58.00 for adults, $55.00 for seniors and students at $36.00.
Miracle also reported to the board that the John Lithgow show scheduled for next spring is now off. Miracle says that Lithgow “wouldn’t even commit.” Last month, Miracle announced that the Lithgow show would have to be moved from the fall to the spring due to Lithgow working on a TV show.
The board last night approved a revised slate of performers for the upcoming performance series.
The board also:
-Passed an approval to purchase a new lighting console for the Arts Center at a cost of $5,300.00. The new board can control up to 500 channels of lighting and facilities manager Doreen Lechner told the board that an increase from a 250 channel board to 500 channels was only around $300.00 more and that new lights with more capabilities requires additional channels.
-Heard from Corina Mack about the upcoming Chalk Walk on June 6th in downtown Jasper. She reports that they already have over 125 people registered to participate. Early registrants receive a free T-shirt and early registration ends Thursday, May 14.
-Heard from Selena Vonderheide who told the board that Next Act continues to fund raise for the Astra Theatre, but they have nothing new to report on those activities.
