SPAC board talks finance
Saturday, March 21, 2009 5:15 AM EDT
By PAUL POST, The Saratogian
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga Performing Arts Center investments have dropped 26 percent, but its financial picture remains strong considering the economy, officials said Friday.SPAC has not dipped into investments — totaling $3.1 million — for operations since deciding to pay its debts off three years ago.The center has an $885,000 operating surplus and current assets of $1.5 million versus liabilities of just under $500,000. SPAC posted a modest year-end surplus for the fourth straight year in 2008.“We will be the last man standing in many respects in the area arts community,” board chairman William Dake said. “We started being pretty hard-nosed on this issue six months ago.”Among other things, SPAC has instituted a salary and hiring freeze and is relying heavily on interns who possess electronic, technology and contemporary media skills. “To get an intern who knows more than you do is quite an asset,” Dake said.SPAC announced a new cross-promotional marketing effort with The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls and Saratoga ArtsFest. However, there was no discussion at Friday’s board meeting about negotiations with Live Nation, which books and promotes SPAC’s popular music events. Live Nation’s contract expires at the end of the 2009 summer season.Under the current pact, Live Nation pays SPAC $1 million per year plus a share of ticket revenue once attendance hits a certain threshold. SPAC President Marcia White has said it’s important to get as close to those terms as possible in the next contract.Citing different reports, Dake said the economy has taken its toll on arts groups nationwide. Donations have dropped off significantly and 10 percent of the 10,000 arts organizations in America might go out of business this year, he said.“It’s not just affecting the arts,” board member Heather Mabee said. She said attendance is off significantly at this month’s basketball tournaments around the country.Marketing Committee Chairman Ed Lewi said NASCAR has been hit hard, too, and is lowering ticket prices to bring crowds back. Among this year’s promotions, SPAC will again have an American Girl Night and Girls Night out along with Date Nights and Family Nights every Thursday and Friday, respectively.The main new initiative is a partnership with The Hyde that is planning an upcoming summer exhibit, “Degas & Music,” based on the work of French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas (1834-1917).“Instead of being at cross purposes, we’re cross-promoting,” said David Setford, The Hyde’s executive director. “This is certainly the way for the future. Instead of being isolated in our attempt to reach audiences, we’re joining forces.“Music rather than painting was the underpinning of Degas’ artistic life.”The cross between those art forms will be emphasized in several scheduled events. They are:- Friday, Aug. 7 — Young chamber musicians will play at The Hyde, including featured pianist Jean-Frederic Neuberger of Paris. This fundraiser will have pre- and post-performance receptions.- Monday, Aug. 10 — A full-length chamber music program at Spa Little Theater also featuring Neuberger.- Saturday, Aug. 15 — A special Philadelphia Orchestra performance called “An Evening with Degas.” The concert will be accompanied by images of Degas’ works on SPAC’s large cinema screens.Chief Operating Officer Richard Geary said memberships are currently down 10 to 12 percent versus 2008. But 2009 season programs are just being mailed out. Typically, this boosts memberships when people get to see the program first-hand.SPAC’s annual meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 13 at Saratoga Spa State Park’s Hall of Springs.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPAC Paint-job repairs to beat season opening
Saturday, March 21, 2009 5:15 AM EDT
By PAUL POST, The Saratogian
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A peeling paint problem is only cosmetic and will be resolved before Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s season begins, officials said Friday.The amphitheater’s ceiling was painted three years ago as part of a major interior renovation that included the installation of 5,200 new padded seats.Working within budget constraints, crews scraped off and painted over old paint rather than sand-blasting the entire ceiling down to its plaster surface. Now, sections of old paint have started to peel.“You have so much to spend,” SPAC Facilities Committee Chairman John Nigro said. “Instead of sandblasting, which was probably costlier, they sanded. It’ll be repaired.“It’s purely cosmetic.”The amphitheater, which SPAC leases, is owned by the state that maintains and pays for its upkeep. But the state is facing a more than $14 billion budget deficit. For the time being, at least, the ceiling will be touched up with new paint instead of removing all the old layers.The amphitheater was originally targeted for a three-phase renovation — heating and mechanical, followed by interior work and finally the exterior. The first and second phases totaling roughly $4 million have already been done.Last year, a new façade was supposed to be built along with redesigned lighting, exterior balcony ramps and rest room improvements. Those projects, however, have been put on hold because state funding simply isn’t available.SPAC has asked state parks officials if rest rooms, at least, could be upgraded for the current season.“We haven’t heard back,” Nigro said.He said the parks system has assured him that SPAC’s exterior renovations will be done once money becomes available, but not this year.
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