The Citizen-Times announced today an architectural firm has been contracted for designing Asheville’s performing arts center. The basic reaction to the article was, “What performing arts center?” A group has been around for a long time lobbying for it, but the general public was unaware of any land transaction selling the city’s parking lot as the article assumes. Nobody seemed to recall a substantial commitment to project specifics by the city or county, nor was it believed the center had raised enough funds to get serious about construction, yet.

A visit to the center’s advocates’ web page leaves me staring at a lot of empty seats. Maybe people with better computers can get something more to happen. Hacking through the back (stage?) door, one can find the following insights on the web site’s FAQ page.

Where would the money come from?

A successful project must be funded from a combination of sources. Private fundraising must be a substantial part of the financing. The State of North Carolina assisted in funding the Blumenthal Theatre in Charlotte with $15 million (about $22 million in today’s dollars). It’s time for the state to turn its funding attention to economic development in Western North Carolina. A new performance center in Asheville would be a major economic investment, generating tens of millions of dollars annually in economic impact and creating over 300 jobs.

The resources exist. They will be sparked by the shared community will and vision for the area’s cultural and economic future.

What about operating funds? Don’t most performance centers lose money? Would the city or county have to subsidize a center’s operation?

A feasibility study, a marketing study, and an operating/ business plan, each addressing this issue, have been completed. The operations of several other performing arts centers have also been evaluated, along with their financial structures. With the right program and experienced management, the Performance Center will do better than break even.