Is the Washington Pavilion Planning Cuts?

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Well certainly not on carpeting;

pavcarpet

In their defense though, the place has had the same carpeting for almost 17 years, so it is probably due for an update.

But what about staff? It certainly is a building that has seen many staff and management changes throughout the years. They are on their 5th CEO, they have had I think four VAC directors. The Science Center, the Performing Arts Center, Box Office, Education/Learning center and the Marketing departments have seen many changes over the years. Their have been two constants though over the years, the CFO and the Operations Manager have been there since day one.

Darrin has been in charge several months now, so I’m sure mixing up management has been in his craw for quite awhile, but not sure what he will do?

I will say this about Darrin though, he is NO pushover. Unlike past CEOs I think Darrin won’t be afraid to make changes on his terms.

Time will tell I guess.

Does Sioux Falls have any arts leadership in the public sector?

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Wow. It was refreshing to hear someone besides myself (and who actually has a degree in these kind of things) speak out about the lack of cultural leadership in our community in the public sector;

I believe now is the correct strategic moment to consider renewed formal leadership for the Sioux Falls Arts Council, a position that has been covered in a transitional capacity for the past two years.

It’s actually been in a transitional period for over a decade. The Pavilion’s plan to kill the Sioux Empire Arts Council was successful, the problem was the Pavilion had no backup plan, and the mastermind of it all ran back to Brookings to do another job he wasn’t qualified for, well at least he isn’t damaging Norman Rockwell prints anymore.

It only took this letter writer one year working at the Pavilion to figure out it’s façade (it took me 4 years);

The Washington Pavilion has not, and does not look to be, a leader in concepts like larger community cultural issues, creative placemaking and community vibrancy.

That is because the Pavilion is there to protect itself, that’s why they dismantled a great FREE community arts program (SEAC) and renamed it, only further destroying what was a good organization to begin with. But hey, now we will have a butcher shop museum at Falls Park to replace it. At least now we all will know where milk and sausage comes from.

I have been suggesting for years it is time for the city to put out bids for a new Pavilion management contract. Others have even suggested that the entities in the building should be split up (separate the performance and entertainment halls from the arts center and science center). I don’t know what the solution is, but one thing is for certain, there needs to be a true leader to take the bull by the horns.

*For the record, I don’t know the author of this letter, and have never spoken with him.

The Washington Pavilion has yet to present their 2015 annual report

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Hey, it’s only July 14, these things take time folks.

The Pavilion holds their annual meeting of the Board of Trustees in June each year to go over the annual report. It is required by their bylaws and for their non-profit status. The report (externally audited or not) is presented at this public meeting. Or it should be . . .

A couple of weeks ago I tried to attain it online and called. It was not available. Today I went to the box office and requested a printed copy (something a non-profit must have on hand for the public). They called the finance director and she told them to instruct me that they were ‘still working on it.’ I left my business card (South DaCola) and told them to get a hold of me when it was available. As soon as I got home I had an email from the finance director that said this;

We are currently working with our auditors to complete the 2015 report, but here is a copy of the 2014 report.

The report should have been completed for the meeting, it should be available.

The irony of all this is that after 15 years we know the Pavilion will never be in the black, there is no big secret here, so why the delay?

The Pavilion just replaced their two CEO’s with Darrin Smith, and the Pavilion has received over 3 million dollars this year from our CIP for needed maintenance and repairs (this is not a part of our operational subsidy, this comes from the 2nd penny CIP, the same fund that repairs our infrastructure).

It may be true an external audit is happening, that is completely normal. But the initial report should be available.

Washington Pavilion’s vague 2015 financial graphic

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wash pav one sheet

Click to Enlarge

The Pavilion got around to putting ‘something’ up on their website about 2015. It is short on details.

What amazes me, is that not only does the place receive millions in maintenance from the city’s CIP that is NOT included in their budget, but they have to depend on a 43% subsidy from the city and private donors. It still amazes me that after almost 15 years and a significant growth in population, the Pavilion can’t even break even.