Save Richmond

Save Richmond posed these questions to the PR firm handling the CenterStage account. And this is what we got:

1. Who owns the Carpenter Theater building - the city… a private, for-profit entity… or a charity/non-profit?

The city owns the Carpenter Theater building, and leases it to RPAC, a private entity. It is a 40-year lease.

2. Who owns the other facilities (Dorothy Pauley, Gottwald Playhouse, Rhythm Hall etc) - the city… a private, for-profit entity… or a charity/non-profit?

Non-profit CenterStage Foundation owns Dorothy Pauley Square and the front half of the block facing Broad Street, who then leases the property to RPAC.

3. How much money has the performing arts center project received and spent from public sources to date (this includes city, state and federal money as well as different tax credits). Please give a breakdown of these sources.

Capital funding raised - $25 million from the City of Richmond which is used exclusively for the Carpenter Theatre , $1.2 from HUD for the educational facilities and , $8.5 million from the Commonwealth of Virginia for the performing venues in the Dorothy Pauley Square.

Capital funding received - $22.5 million from the City of Richmond, $1.2 from HUD, $8.5 million from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

$73.5 million is the anticipated final cost of the project, which is on-schedule and on-budget. To date, $77.4 million has been raised. Funds raised in excess of the construction cost will be dedicated to the endowment.

FOLLOWUP: What you are saying is that the $25 million figure includes the money that was already spent by CenterStage before Wilder’s performing arts committee was formed?

We are talking about the “pre-construction requisition” money derived from the meals tax hike). You are saying that this is included in the final $25MM figure?:

AUDIT [quote]:

The Foundation submitted the following disbursements in support of the
$12,000,000 interim financing:

Requisition Date Amount

4/28/04 $1,372,215
8/27/04 $1,753,140
2/16/05 $4,051,047
5/13/05 $3,789,625
8/3/05 $1,112,905

Total:
$12,078,932

Answer: Marketing department at CenterStage is saying $25 million is the amount of money that has come from the city since the very, very beginnings of this renovation - $22.5MM has been received so far.

4. How much money has the performing arts center project received and spent from private sources to date – not pledges, but actual money received? [We are not asking for ANY personal information of private donors, only money totals for actual private money received to date.]

We have received $19.7 million in private sources as of May 31, 2009.

5. How much money does the project expect to receive from private sources in 2009 and how much from public sources (this includes all city, state and federal money plus tax credits). Please give a breakdown of the public sources.

Per the information listed above, the only remaining funds to be collected are $2.5 million from the City of Richmond, which will be delivered before the end of the calendar year. The balance of the construction costs are being funded with private sources (pledges, tax credits, etc.).

6. Would the Centerstage Foundation consider releasing to the public a current bank statement showing cash on hand before its September grand opening?

A Form 990, required for nonprofits, is available on our website for the most recent audited fiscal year.

[Save Richmond Note: The current financial summary available on the CenterStage website is from 2007-08.]

7. In 2005, Richmond’s City Auditor recommended that the Foundation post updated financial information (including public and private fundraising totals) on the web so that taxpayers could be fully informed. Why does the Foundation not still do this?

We have posted audited financial information available – that is the Form 990 for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 Fiscal Years. The FY 2008-09 financial information is currently being audited and will be posted on the RichmondCenterStage.com website once they it is available to the Foundation.

8. Is there an operating pro forma or other budget/business plan for CenterStage once it is in operation? If so, when will city residents who are funding the center be able to see it?

We will be happy to forward the question to RPAC, who is responsible for operations.

9. Is the center expected to run a deficit? If so, how much of a deficit is projected annually?

The level of donations, interest on the endowment, program sponsorships and venue bookings will all play a factor in the amount of CenterStage’s annual deficit in any given year. We will be happy to forward the question to RPAC, who is responsible for operations.

10. Who will make the final decisions on arts programming for CenterStage, including decisions relating to censorship and community values - SMG… the CenterStage Foundation Board of Directors… or another entity?

CenterStage is committed to diverse programming. The decisions on performances will involve a number of local arts groups. The 13 resident performance companies of Richmond CenterStage are able to book the spaces before anyone else. Beyond that, SMG will be responsible for booking national acts, such as David Copperfield in October and Avenue Q in November. Local groups, companies and other organizations can also use the gallery and theater spaces for art or non-art events – for instance, a shareholder meeting – and can contact SMG to do so. Additionally, the Foundation is reaching out to the public for recommendations on programming, using avenues such as Facebook to communicate with supporters of CenterStage.

11. When will Centerstage make an announcement about its artistic director? Can you describe the type of individual being sought and whether or not he/she will have a background in performing arts administration?

Future leadership will have a primary role of fundraising, community engagement and outreach as well as experience in management and the arts.

[Save Richmond Note: When we asked this question, we assumed that CenterStage would have an artistic director. Such as Joel Katz, who successfully ran the Carpenter Center for years. But it will not.]

12. Please describe the public process through which community arts groups and organizations can use or rent the CenterStage facilities. How does the Centerstage Foundation plan to market the venues to groups outside of the Alliance For the Performing Arts members?

Groups can contact SMG to book the facilities. Information about the venues at Richmond CenterStage is widely available and will be advertised.

13. Please describe what the Genworth Bright Lights Educational Program is, what it will do, and what school districts – city and/or state – that it plans to work with.

In terms of school districts, CenterStage will work with all the cities and counties in Central Virginia, and be open to those outside of the region, as well. We plan on unveiling much more about the educational program of the Genworth Bright Lights Education Center in January.

14. Will the planned Genworth Bright Lights Education Center in any way collaborate with the children’s arts programs that are provided annually by the City of Richmond’s Parks and Rec Department? Please explain how or why not.

Yes. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is already one of CenterStage’s partners.

[Save Richmond note: The PR Firm referred us to a brochure that lists the Department of Parks and Rec as a CenterStage partner, but with no details.]

15. CenterStage’s web site reports: “The Board of Directors is made up of Centerstage Foundation volunteers and arts representatives, as well as representatives from the City.” How many total people currently serve on Centerstage’s board of directors and how many of them are “arts representatives”?

The most current list of the Board of Directors is found in the Annual Report and on the CenterStage website. You can also find a list of donors in the annual report. Many members of the Board serve on other arts boards.

[Save Richmond Note: 8% of the CenterStage board members are arts representatives. The definition of 'arts representative' is being loosely defined too. It can mean that the board members also sit on other arts-related boards, not necessarily that they have experience in arts promotion or administration or have ties to the local arts community.]

16. What efforts are currently being made by the board of directors to secure regional funding from neighboring county governments for Centerstage, which advertises itself as a regional facility.

There are currently no active efforts to secure funding from neighboring counties and cities. However, CenterStage is being marketed to the region, not just the city, as a place for people to come downtown and enjoy the nightlife in Richmond, and see what the revitalization of the city’s Downtown has to offer. We view CenterStage as one of the anchors of Broad Street and a catalyst for growth and renovation of downtown.

17. How much will it cost per person to attend the Centerstage Sept. 11 Gala? Please include the total amount, including any contributing level donation that might apply in order to receive a ticket.

The sneak preview fundraiser on Sept. 11 event is for all CenterStage donors who have given at least $100 over the history of the project. The money raised goes directly toward the endowment and will ensure that ticket costs for the public are kept reasonable. Tickets are priced at $100 and $250.

The Richmond CenterStage grand opening celebration takes place September 12 at the Carpenter Theatre. Ticket prices range from $35 to $100 and include nine performances by CenterStage’s producing resident companies.

The performance on Friday and Saturday nights are identical. Ticket proceeds from both nights cover the costs of the nine arts groups and their performances.

18. The promotional video for Centerstage’s website features footage of the local galleries and nightlife that have helped to make Curated Culture’s First Fridays a downtown success story. Does Centerstage plan to actively collaborate with the local grassroots arts community that is being spotlighted in this video? If so, please explain how in detail.

Yes. Our Groundbreaking Event was jointly marketed with First Fridays to promote both events. We viewed that as a success. At the time, that was widely reported as one of the largest crowds at First Fridays. CenterStage also was a major sponsor of the Broad Appétit event last year and this year, is a partner in the 2009 Folk Festival and both the 2008 and 2009 InLight celebration. CenterStage will continue to look for ways to partner with the local arts community to promote a vibrant arts and nightlife downtown, and we encourage input on these efforts.

19. Is Brad Armstrong still involved with this project? If so, please describe his current role with Centerstage.

Yes. Brad serves as one of the volunteers on the Board of Directors (which is comprised 100% of volunteers) and is co-chair of the marketing committee. He has donated thousands of hours of his time to the project and has been a leading advocate for Richmond CenterStage.

20. Would the Centerstage Foundation consider making a public pledge to taxpayers that they will not lobby the Richmond’s elected officials for additional city money for their project? If not, why not?

All City funding for Richmond CenterStage was applied exclusively to the Carpenter Theatre’s renovation and restoration costs, which is nearing completion, and no additional funds will be needed. Future development of the CenterStage Foundation property and Richmond CenterStage project – apart from the Carpenter Theatre –will be a private venture.

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(UPDATE: Capital Results tells us that these answers came courtesy of Jim Ukrop and Bob Mooney.)