Photo: Todd GillWalton Arts Center announces new leadership and initiatives
During a brief press conference on the stage of Baum Walker Hall this morning, it was announced that Peter B. Lane has been hired as President/CEO of Walton Arts Center effective May 1, 2009.
A new leader
Mr. Lane most recently served as CEO for the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, a $100 million arts facility located on the original 1969 Woodstock Festival site. His job there was geared towards expanding arts programming which is exactly what he’s been tasked with here in Northwest Arkansas.
“Our goal was to find leadership in the CEO position to move Walton Arts Center in a direction of growth,” said Jeff Schomburger, Chair of the Executive Search Committee. “We are delighted that we found that leader in Mr. Lane.”
Newly hired CEO Peter B. Lane
During the year-long search, the committee reviewed over 40 applicants before deciding on Lane, whose ties to the arts are stronger than just serving as a previous facility CEO.
Mr. Lane began his career as a professional musician where he played double bass with the San Francisco Opera before moving into management positions and later serving as Executive Director of the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall for ten years.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of Walton Arts Center and this community,” said Lane after taking the podium. One of the things he says that impressed he and his wife the most about Northwest Arkansas are the people here. “The friendliness and humble sense of pride and passion for this community are unparalleled,” said Lane.
Lane replaces Terri M. Trotter, who has served as Interim President/CEO since March 2008 and as Vice President of External Affairs since 2005.
“I’m honored and pleased that she has agreed to stay,” said Lane.
The future of WAC
After the initial announcement, the room began to fill with an urgent sense of “yeah but what else?” After all, yesterday’s announcement of the press conference also mentioned future initiatives for the 17-year-old arts center. And then the news came … well, sorta.
After stressing the opportunities that Lane believes the center has in place terms of building a national profile and transforming itself into a larger, more influential organization, the new CEO announced that Walton Arts Center is currently “near its capacity” and that a new facility would indeed be built. The next words out of his mouth, however, were “And no, we don’t have a location in mind yet.”
Although it doesn’t answer the most burning question of whether or not Walton Arts Center will stay in Fayetteville, it’s clear that the Board foresees an expanded role for the organization in the area.
“We’re dreaming big,” said Lane. “We want to develop a new arts engagement strategy that touches every person in Northwest Arkansas. I envision expanding our initiatives in the schools, serving more people with our programs, and continuing to elevate the arts to a higher level of importance in our community and the region.”
Comments
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Matthew Petty
April 22, 2009
I was there, too, hoping for something exciting. Instead, I’m cautiously optimistic.
Something that worries me is I never heard the word “Fayetteville,” but I sure did hear “this community” and “Northwest Arkansas” a lot.
a. brown
April 22, 2009
I do not like the sound of that. Fayetteville’s funkifiers better step it up a notch and make sure we don’t start losing our assets to Bentonville. I mean, geez, how embarrassing.
bryce
April 22, 2009
We CANNOT lose the WAC to Benton County…
five by five
April 22, 2009
One thing that I’d really like explained is what “near capacity” means in regards to the WAC (I’ve rarely had trouble getting tickets for events). Since this ‘threat’ came up some time ago, I haven’t seen this question addressed. I’m not challenging the notion, but would like some facts rather than a glossy soundbite. Sounds like a job for the Flyer!
franciemelt
April 22, 2009
Everyone talks all the time about how WAC can’t leave Fayetteville. Why isn’t anyone demanding that the city do something about it instead of waiting to see what happens?
It would be interesting to see someone actually ask the WAC folks some real questions about capacity. I’m not sure they are talking about seats available for sale – I think it has to do with what shows can get booked.
Kendra
April 22, 2009
From what I’ve heard, “capacity” refers to the percentage of time that the WAC spaces are actually in use. Much more goes on there than just their regular season. They often rent their space out to the UA, dance companies, etc. If they are at 80% capacity (just throwing out a number) that means that their facility is being used 80% of its available time. I think.
By adding an additional facility, it will greatly increase their space availibiilty, and they can bring in more shows or rent it out for more private events.
glibbergop
April 23, 2009
You know, I hear a lot of people really upset about the prospect of the WAC moving to Bentonville…however, many of those same people haven’t gone to a show there since Wilco played there ages ago or whatever annual Christmas show comes along with their family. Yeah, there are always available seats, because people aren’t filling them and they are booked at capacity. They’ve even been doing a student ticket program that has some great discounts on some really great shows. 28 bucks for a ticket that was originally 68 is a hell of a deal, but I still hear the occasional person say “Oh that’s out of my price range.”. Well if the arts are out of your price range, don’t be upset when they move to somewhere that has people that are willing to fork over the price required to put on great things.
I’ve been to maybe 6 of the shows this 2009 season, and even that’s probably less than I should.
a. brown
April 23, 2009
@glibbergop It’s good to keep in mind that some of the people who love the WAC but don’t go often are ones who may not be able to go to numerous shows a year… yet. Once we’re out of our entry-level positions, we may be able to cough up a little more dough for the arts. Until then, we may have to be more vocal than monetary.
The Truth
April 23, 2009
@Glibbergop I agree, and it goes beyond music as well. A few months ago, when Roger’s Rec was getting ready to remodel and turn itself in Rogers/21st Amendment, people in my office were upset.
“How can you change it!?!” They said.
Last time those people were in Roger’s Rec Room? Approximately 20 years ago.
Lot’s of people say they love the arts, love theater, love live music, love a bar… and never do anything about it. Moreso, they sit around and watch “American Idol” everynight.
Changing the theater’s location won’t solve that mentality. We need ways to encourage people to see shows, make them overcome their sloth and help the arts economy thrive.
reed
April 23, 2009
Do you think I’m wrong in assuming that proximity to the original Center is crucial to the prospect of an expansion in Fayetteville? Seems like the only decent spot around the “arts district” is the WAC lot. For that to work, though, the city would have to step in with a big ugly parking garage nearby (fat chance).
Woulda been nice if Brandon Barber had built the Legacy Parking Garage instead (“Only metered spots A101-G201 will park the Legacy!”). He might have actually earned something off of that one…
George
April 23, 2009
Agreed Matthew, the word choice is a bit ominous. It would be a terrible blow to Fayetteville to lose the WAC. It’s become such a part of our city’s culture….conceptually if not monetarily.
Is the issue really attendance or location/parking? Would Bentonville really support it more than Fayetteville? I’m not sure about that. Yeah they have the money…but would they? I work in b-ville and I find it hard to believe that the general d-bag population here would show up. The town simply is not as progressive as Fayetteville.
What can we do to get out in front of this problem? Use it or lose it is a good start. Do what you can financially. It may be 8 shows a year…it may be 1. Just don’t forget about the WAC! Sometimes it can be pricey, but compare it to other things you do for entertainment (bars, hookers, etc).
@The Truth – Roger’s Rec got plenty of my money. I tried. There’s only so much cheap beer a guy can drink.
Wesley
April 23, 2009
Hopefully they’ll get more bands to play there then!
Srsly. The plays are cool and everything but get me some Joanna Newsom and Iron & Wine, and you’ll see a renewed interest.
As for the size problem.
The majority of the problem is not the amount of seats available.
The problem is the size of the stage, which is too small for broadway plays nowdays. A lot of the acts talked about how its the smallest stage they’ve ever worked on and how it was at the limit of what size they could do a play on.
Violet
April 28, 2009
@reed You said “Seems like the only decent spot around the “arts district” is the WAC lot.”
Where is this ‘arts district’…or was that sarcasm? We have a bar district, but I’ve yet to see an arts district. Maybe if Dickson or the square had an actual arts district, WAC would be more likely to stay. They’re kind of out of place as things are now. I get the feeling Fay natives think WAC belongs there simply because they’ve always been there. Having previously lived in towns with real arts districts, I’ve always been struck by how poorly WAC fits in in the bar district.
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