Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing series for Arts Access examining the health and well-being of our North Texas arts economy.
Dallas arts leaders are arguing against any further cuts to the $59 million proposed for cultural facilities in the city's bond issue. They spoke up at Wednesday's City Council briefing about the proposed $1.1 billion bond program.
City Manager T.C. Broadnax has suggested a further $10 million reduction. But arts leaders argued the city should take care of the buildings it owns. One arts leader called those buildings "workhorses" because the public may visit them only occasionally, but they are constantly in use -- with rehearsals, tours, special events.
They are also aging workhorses, workhorses that are breaking down.
Chris Heinbaugh, vice president of external affairs for the AT&T Performing Arts Center, said the money is necessary for maintenance; it's not for new facilities. "We heard you loud and clear. There is nothing shiny and new. We are simply taking care of what we've got. We must maintain these facilities. We've heard about water pooling [at] the Meyerson, over the chamber; days where the elevators weren't working in the Wyly; flooding in the DMA."
Warren Tranquada, president and CEO of the center, said serious maintenance needs throughout the ATTPAC's 10-acre campus include "updating technology, HVAC, roofs, fire suppression elevators. Just yesterday, the fire panel on the Wyly Theater failed. We have to replace that this week."
The task force recommended that the city council allocate six percent of bond funding to all of the city's cultural facilities. Ultimately, the City Council has to approve a final list of bond allocations to send to voters in 2024.
Got a tip? Email Jerome Weeks atjweeks@kera.org. You can follow him on Twitter @dazeandweex.
KERA Arts is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.
Arts Access is an arts journalism collaboration powered by The Dallas Morning News and KERA.
This community-funded journalism initiative is funded by the Better Together Fund, Carol & Don Glendenning, City of Dallas OAC, Communities Foundation of Texas, The University of Texas at Dallas, The Dallas Foundation, Eugene McDermott Foundation, James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, Jennifer & Peter Altabef and The Meadows Foundation. The News and KERA retain full editorial control of Arts Access’ journalism.
