I agree that it is good for an organization to be transparent, inclusive, and in with the best intentions for the community. It is also good for bloggers to be FACT finders instead of hunting for loose accusations without backing them up.
#1. I know that WP VAC is a part of the  American Alliance of Museums, and that both take critical concern in the deaccession and accession of collections. Under the AAM code of ethics and guidelines, deaccession is NOT a light matter and would come under scrutiny of a board for how it happened and how the money was used to access new pieces.
#2. It is sad that being free is the best thing you can think of such an incredible cultural center. Have you researched the executive director, the board members and all they think and do for the community? The exhibit schedule and programming are always trying to include the entire community in some way.
#3. Sometimes turnover is a good thing. How do you think it is possible to get new ideas and input without new brains, education and experience?Again transparency is nice, but it should also be entirely up to employer if they think it is necessary or just a matter of mobility.
#4. All nonprofits must submit their form I990 to IRS and make it public. These can be accessed from Guidestar.com.  It is a common misunderstanding that the title “nonprofit” means that there can be no revenue or excess income. While the government gives easements, it does not give-out money without a lot of hard work. Many museums DO rely on their community to keep them afloat and some museums are extremely more costly. There is a constant struggle for survival and I am thankful that the WP VAC is so affordable!
#5. How do you think the WP VAC could better connect with all parts of the community? How do you think they could they engage all the diverse talents, desires, cultures, demographics? If you ran it, what would your priorities be and how would you solve the problems?
I am not trying to be abrasive, anti-transparency, anti-criticism. I am just trying to help solve a problem.
If you’d like to discuss it further, please feel free to email at md923@drexel.edu
My response;
First, I want to apologize to you Meagan, you must be the lastest Pavilion intern/Rich Kid of a board member/artsy-fartsy idealist recruited to defend the Pavilion’s practices against the big bad evil blogger, Detroit Lewis. I say these words in the kindest of ways, truly I do. You will recover.
Remember, Nan Baker, long time VAC advocate and donor was the first to throw up the red flag about the VAC charging admission, not I. But I’m sure it is much easier poking me in the eye then it is her, especially if you have a checking account at her family’s bank.
So Let’s talk FACTS.
#1 I never said the Pavilion was using deaccession as a way to make money, I clearly said,
“It’s not always a ‘bad’ thing. But if an institution like WP is using deaccession as a way to raise money for say the Great Hall or the Science Center, this should concern the public. I have not heard the Pavilion is doing this, but I wouldn’t put it past them.”
The Key word here is ‘IF’. All I am saying is that they are ‘On Notice’
#2, Have I researched the ED and BM’s. LOL. You realize I have put this institution under a microscope since it’s inception. Why? Because I want it to succeed. Do you think I worked for them, and donated to Art’s Night for several years because I wanted to see the WP and the VAC fail?! Give me a break!
“The exhibit schedule and programming are always trying to include the entire community in some way.”
I would agree, and by remaining FREE to the public, they can continue to do that. I have been to a vast array of art museums across the country, and have no problem paying an admission fee, in fact this weekend, I am visiting one of my favorites. And I think it is perfectly fine for the WP to charge for ‘bigger exhibits’ but we are certainly NOT the Denver Art Museum or the Institute in Mpls. The regional galleries at the VAC need to remain free, not just because it is the right thing to do, but it was a promise from the WP to do so when the public voted to approve the facility, something I voted YES on.
#3
“Sometimes turnover is a good thing.”
I would agree, the VP of Operations should have been terminated years ago.
The issue though is why does someone leave? The Development Director left under what circumstances? Do you know? I know that I have heard a lot of rumors, wouldn’t you think it would be in the WP’s best interest to tell us the ‘REAL’ reason why? It’s not like she was the janitor of the 4th floor restrooms. She was responsible for grants for the entire facility.
#4
“There is a constant struggle for survival and I am thankful that the WP VAC is so affordable!”
It is affordable because the WP has done successful fundraisers for the facility over the past 12 years! It’s FREE, how wonderful is that? Oh, I mean, it was free. Donors, including myself, have been adamant about this, the VAC must remain free of charge except for larger/unique exhibits. The WP has gone back on their promise. Period.
#5. “How do you think the WP VAC could better connect with all parts of the community? How do you think they could they engage all the diverse talents, desires, cultures, demographics? If you ran it, what would your priorities be and how would you solve the problems?”
What a great question. I have said from the beginning of the institution, you must find ways to engage the ‘entire’ community, not just those who already seek the arts, like you and me. By keeping the VAC FREE, the WP is doing that.
I remember when I had my individual exhibit at the VAC, I would go up there on Saturdays and listen to people comment about my art, I remember one Saturday an old farmer in coveralls (who would have NEVER paid an admission fee to the VAC) cracking a joke about one of my pieces. I had to run out of the gallery I was laughing so hard. Whether he knew it or not, he ‘GOT’ the piece. And that is what it is all about. The regular Joe is not going to seek out ‘ART’ especially if he has to pay for it, but if an opportunity presents itself, he may just engage. This isn’t about the ‘Specials’ this is about everyone, and if the WP only wants to cater to them, fine, stop taking my tax dollars and do what you want to, don’t give a shit. But as long as you are sucking on my tit, you must provide me a service. Tough Titty.
“I am not trying to be abrasive, anti-transparency, anti-criticism. I am just trying to help solve a problem.”
Well Meagan, that problem could be solved, but it would require a good ripping off of the bandaid, and alot of disinfectant.
With the Vault closing, there’s an opportunity to reach out to the live music crowd and get some shows in the Great Hall that would actually make some $$ to fund the entire facility as both DL and Scott Hudson have been advocating for years.
Believe it or not, you could have REO Speedwagon one night, Atmosphere on another and the Alabama Shakes on another in a 10 day span and if you have someone who can actually promote these shows properly you will see different crowds at each and none of whom frequent the place now.
You know, ten seconds on Google will tell you precisely what Meagan does.
So pardon me if I chuckle at the irony of you trying to smear a commenter with a bunch of inaccurate, ad hominem nonsense that suggests she’s just some stupid kid who could never possibly be as enlightened as you are, then in the third paragraph say “let’s talk FACTS” when you’ve done such ham-handed job of bothering to avail yourself of them in the first place when it pertains to the commenter herself.
I don’t disagree with many of your opinions on this issue, but man, you sure as heck could handle yourself better when responding to someone who’s just trying to have a sincere dialogue with you.
HG – I was being snarky, I know exactly ‘Who’ she is.
Exactly, Sy.
I am a Sioux Falls taxpayer.
I am part of a large percentage of our community who has little or no interest in the Pavilion.
What I do care about is the financial black hole the Pavilion has been since its inception.
We, as taxpayers, have millions of dollars invested in the Pavilion. And, the drain on tax dollars will continue long into the future. The current 2014-2018 Capital Improvement Program lists 2.9 million dollars of improvements.
In addition, there has only been ONE YEAR of the Pavilion’s existence where they have NOT come to the taxpayers asking for an subsidy, usually in the range of 1 to 2 million dollars each year.
This is a publicly-owned building receiving million dollar TAX subsidies each year that has to date been run in less than a transparent way!
So you see, md923@drexel.edu, it’s certainly NOT just bloggers who do NOT believe the Pavilion is transparent, it is in fact, many ordinary SF citizens like myself!
The WP will soon be forgotten about once ‘The District’ starts putting on concerts and the EC opens.
I roughly figured it will probably cost about 12 million a year to run the EC. They will probably bring in about 3 million in sponsorships and 2 million in advertising. They will also have revenue, let’s put it high, lets say about 4 million. That leaves about 3 million short. Where do you think that money is going to come from? Nevermind the bond payment each year.
The crux of all these ‘facilities’ we subsidize charge to walk thru their doors. So what is the ‘benefit’ to you and me? Quality of Life – Give me a break.
None of this does anything for my quality of life, except to remind me that I cannot and will not be able to afford the tickets to attend events at these facilities that my taxes help support.
Please, don’t talk to me about economic impact…..the “trickle-down” effect never reaches most of us average taxpayer/citizens!
Yeah, the Economic Impact argument is becoming tiresome. Even the Indoorers are using it when they talk about swim meets. Yawn.
@ L3wis & anon, here’s where your train leaves the tracks;
A. The Pavillion was proposed as a non-profit.
B. The Pavillion has always been run as a non-profit.
C. No Pavillion would’ve likely meant tearing down WHS for a parking lot, or over worse selling it to an evil developer who would plant roses there just to stomp on them.
The place has been open for 20 years, and I believe it averages around 300K visits a year, not as much as the Mall but in line with where Falls Park is today. You can’t dismiss the Economic impact, especially when you consider what downtown looked like 20 years ago. (hint it wasn’t booming) Moreover, the sum total of revenues generated by both direct and indirect economic impact have more than paid for the place, and I believe the higher rate bonds that built the place have been retired = a good thing.
My problem is point B. above, the place doesn’t need to be run as a non-profit, they need to get someone with some vision and an entrepreneurial mind to come in and find ways to make the place even more of a draw. After a visit to the Experience Music Museum in Seattle, I pitched to Gary Brown the same concept that eventually became the Brennan Rock & Roll Academy, as it would’ve been a natural fit for the SD R&R Hall of Fame. He liked the idea, but obviously wasn’t able to act on it. There’s any number of places we could seek out and do a miniature version of what makes them popular in their respective communities and emulate it at the WP. With the broad umbrella of “Arts & Science” we haven’t even scratched the surface of what the place could be.
Yeah, not asking the Pavilion ‘make money’ but it could certainly break even if they diversified the Great Hall entertainment, and you could leave the VAC FREE. And BTW, a couple of corrections, I think the WP is going on it’s 13th or 14th year, and the dude’s name was Gary Wood.
Watching the Washington Bazillion fail is the ultimate way to prove your point. Let it go. It’s done. A Bazillion years from now an archaeologist will dig up the foundation and surmiss it to have been a taxpayer sacrifice to the pagan gods Munson & Huether.
Right Wood, my bad.
heh, heh, you said WOOD.
Gary Wood, former Executive Director of the Pavilion, who disappeared in the dead of the night…..
Never an explanation from the PAV, in spite of the fact they publicly told the Council they would clarify at a later date….
So much for transparency……
From an organization which has the privilege of residing in a publicly owned building, and receiving annual tax subsidies!!
I know why he, ahem, left.
I do know that he was quite frustrated by the fact that ‘someone’ else was running the operation, and it wasn’t him.
There is one person in that building that causes more problems then he is worth, and he has been there since day one. You could almost nickname him the ‘Terminator’. Get in his way, and you are gone and in all reality, he should have been booted years ago.