London needs a proper performing arts centre. We need to get on with it and get it done.
The City’s decision of a few months ago not to fund a study was disappointing. A debate about whether the proposed study had the right focus, or whether it covered ground already looked at would have been healthy. Instead, council concluded that the municipal government doesn’t want to fund a PAC now, and therefore wouldn’t consider the study. Some are treating this as a death knell for a performing arts centre in London any time soon.
There are many reasons to build a performing arts centre now. The only reason against is the issue of to what extent municipal tax dollars should be spent on it. But funding is just a challenge to overcome that requires some creative thinking – it shouldn’t kill this before it gets off the ground.
A performing arts centre has been talked about for decades. It’s apparent that if this is going to get done, someone other than the municipal government has to drive it forward.
What follows are my personal thoughts on the issue. These are not endorsed by, nor am I affiliated with (at least as far as I know), any organization that has taken a position on this issue. I do however perceive that there are a significant number of people in London that agree with me on this.
I’ll talk about why we need one, counter some of the most often heard arguments against one, and suggest a plan for going forward.
Why we need a Performing Arts Centre
London has a diverse economy, and often shows up on lists of top places to live and work in Canada. Studies show that the most successful, thriving cites also have a strong creative class. If we are going to grow, provide quality employment opportunities, keep people here after they finish post secondary education, provide quality of life for Londoners, retain businesses as they grow, attract new businesses, and attract skilled people, we need a city that is attractive to individuals, families, and business.
The world is shrinking, and we compete on a world stage. Indeed, many businesses in London sell their products and services around the globe. We can’t thrive if we focus just on Southwestern Ontario, or even Canada. And if we strive to be a world class city we have to act like it. Being mired in mediocrity won’t do it.
Many local businesses have challenges in attracting people to come from outside London. To attract the talent they need, London must have world class appeal, with diverse facilities to entertain in our leisure time.
Since we compete globally, we need reasons for individuals to want to be here. If executives from places like Germany or Korea are looking for a place to locate in North America, and decide London doesn’t have what they want, they won’t even consider London.
While a performing arts centre on its own won’t make the world beat a path to our door, it’s an important piece in the overall attractiveness of a desirable city. It’s an investment in our future.
We currently have Centennial Hall – a venue that no one would argue is adequate.
I’m sure Orchestra London puts up with it because it’s all we have. Query why they choose to have concerts in other locations as well?
Centennial Hall apparently needs upgrades to some of its mechanical systems that are near the end of their life. The money is far better spent on a new PAC – it seems pointless to spend any more than absolutely necessary on Centennial Hall.
My son is a member of the Amabile Young Men’s choir. The Amabile organization is not as well known as it should be, as it has world class choirs. Two of their choirs recently won first place in their class in a Canada wide choir competition held by the CBC. So where do they perform in London? There really isn’t a venue that works for them, so they end up performing in random churches. They are not ideal venues for many reasons.
London has positioned itself as a destination for conventions and festivals. What better way to support that than to have a world class performing arts centre. It would add one more reason for people to want to have their convention here.
The Ambassador London program states its mission is: “To shape the image of London to a place of global importance and influence where all can flourish – economically, socially and culturally.” A performing arts centre is an important piece of that image.
There has also been talk about London as a centre for “green” technology. The University of Western Ontario sees this as a strength. What better way to demonstrate this to the public (and create a funding opportunity) than to create the greenest, most environmentally friendly, performing arts centre?
London is often perceived as a very conservative city. Many are frustrated that we are often overlooked within our own province and country. We shouldn’t settle for that – and we shouldn’t settle for the status quo. We need to take ownership of our image and get noticed. Organizations like the LEDC and Ambassador London are trying to do that – adding a world class performing arts centre to the mix would help tremendously.
Arguments often heard against it
Fixing potholes is more important than spending money on a performing arts centre.
Surely municipal governments are intended to be more than just utility providers. They also have a mission to ensure that their city thrives and survives, and is the best possible place for their constituents to live and work.
Infrastructure is indeed important to retain and attract business.
But to focus just on infrastructure is a short term, narrow view of the role of a municipal government. We can have the best roads, water mains and sewers on the planet – but that won’t attract or keep people or business here if we lack well rounded leisure activities – whether that be as spectator or participant.
The pothole argument also subscribes to the zero-sum theory, i.e. that there are only $X of tax money available. No one is suggesting that the municipality has to fund the entire project out of municipal tax money. And the more attractive and successful a city is, the more tax dollars it has at its disposal.
Why should all the citizens of London fund something for the elite?
I don’t understand where this comes from. For some reason, some think performing arts centre = orchestra = classical music = the “elite” or the “rich”.
A performing arts centre would no more be for the “elite” than the John Labatt Centre is. The JLC often sells out concerts in minutes at ticket prices exceeding three figures per ticket. Orchestra London’s typical ticket prices are far less expensive. And Orchestra London performs far more than just classical music.
The city supports and funds many things that most people in London will never use. Things like soccer fields, parks, baseball diamonds and pools are valuable assets to the city as a whole, but the vast majority of us will never or rarely use them. A performing arts centre is no different.
But again, this argument also assumes that the municipal government will have to pay for the entire performing arts centre. No one expects it to.
We already have the JLC – who would possibly use it / perform there?
A performing arts centre would be complementary to the JLC, not competition for it. Indeed, input from JLC management would be a valuable part of the design and planning process.
The performances that now occur at Centennial Hall would go to the performing arts centre. The number of events would increase in part just because the venue would be far superior. There are also a number of London based events that take place at random venues that would be far better at a venue with proper facilities.
Where do we go from here?
Since the municipality doesn’t seem to want to take charge of this, someone, or some organization needs to. It needs the application of some proper project management skills. What follows is a list, not necessarily in order, of some things that should be done. (I apologize for anything I say here that has already been done – this is not meant to criticize anything that has been done, or anyone that has done it.)
First, collect and review all of the information, studies, and articles that have been written about a London performing arts centre over the years.
Consult with all relevant stakeholders to get their input into what they would like to have. That includes groups that might use it, and the London arts community in general. Also existing London facilities such as Centennial Hall and the John Labatt Centre.
Speaking of the JLC, it gets mentioned often in this debate, and rightly so. A performing arts centre would be complementary to the JLC. The JLC is a model to be followed in the design, build and operation of a performing arts centre. There was a lot of controversy over the JLC before it was built, but it has performed beyond expectations.
To draw parallels between the JLC and a performing arts centre, it must be well designed by those familiar with successful performing arts centres. (One advantage of being late to the game is that we have the benefit of the wisdom and experience of centres in other cities.) It must be designed to appeal to both performers and the public. Many performers at the JLC have commented positively about the facility, and no doubt returned because of that, and told other performers. Who would have thought a few years ago that we would get the number and caliber of artists that perform there?
Get creative with funding. The latest trend, the P3 (public private partnership) is probably the way to go. Consider alternate funding alternatives. One example is the Fanshawe College proposal to use it as part of their education programs. Another is to make it a showcase for green or environmentally friendly technology. Corporate funding and naming rights must be sought as well.
Consider the site. Downtown is a given. It would be nice to locate it on the Thames River (that also ties it into the recent renewed interest in the Thames) – although finding an available site downtown on the river might be a challenge. The current Centennial Hall location may be a good option.
It’s crucial to get the design and amenities of a performing arts centre right. Doing this to meet the bare standards of functionality won’t work. It must be physically attractive to create the right buzz in the local and wider community. It must meet or exceed the functional requirements of performers, such as acoustics, lighting, sound systems, and practice areas. It must be a venue that the public wants to return to, including things like comfortable seating and sightlines, and foyer/lounge areas to accommodate pre-show gatherings and intermissions. Make sure the design team includes those who have designed and operated successful performing arts centres before.
Look at other performing arts centres in Canada and elsewhere. Talk to the operators and users and find out what works and what doesn’t, and what they would do differently if they could do it over again.
Set up all this information in a publicly accessible forum, such as a blog or wiki. Use it to gather input, gather comments on suggestions, publish comments and material, update status, and create a buzz for the centre.
