Capitol Theatre Rally

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• Interesting comments from everyone, re: to fund or not to fund the Capitol Theatre...

  It's a complicated situation, but to put the issue of the City's investment in the arts in perspective, it may interest you to know that in 2005, the City's TOTAL Arts Agency spending (i.e., for the Art Gallery, the Windsor Symphony, the Arts Council and Artcite) was LESS than 1/25 of 1¢ of each non-designated tax dollar received by the City. (Check out the budget pages on the City's own web site. By non-designated, think: tax dollars remaining after sewer surcharge, hospital levy and school taxes). Think what the city could do w/ an entire 1¢: funding for all the social service agencies and all the arts groups! (BTW, all but $412 of Artcite's 2005 Agency grant of $3004 was paid directly back to the City in property taxes...).

  Sorry, guys, our long-ish, late-ish 2¢ here...but for Windsor's smaller, struggling arts groups, life goes on--despite (or in spite of) the Capitol drama.

  The following was written in response to Pat's post on March 17 on the artwindsor blog, but unfortunately her post was taken down (thus rendering my reply nonsensical), and we've BOGGED down on a major grant since (actually, since/during the Capitol Rally.

  MANY THANKS to everyone who came out, and I'll just echo that we in the arts community were given *very* limited time to rally to "Save the Capitol" (in the case of the Feb 19 Council meeting, in which the City approved a $65,000 loan to the ailing Capitol, we had exactly 72 hours in which to get on to the delegates' list and prepare our presentations to City Council. Was this extremely short turn-around the result of actions of the Capitol Board or the City--or both?).

  In any case: apologies in advance for the lengthiness of the following, in response to the posts by the former GM of the Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre Patricia Warren:

  Speaking on behalf of Artcite, the House of Toast Film and Video Collective (HOT) and the Media City Film & Video Festival--and as an Arts Administrator, artist, and a long-time volunteer in Windsor's visual arts community, I'd like to state for the record that in our 15+ year tenancy in the Capitol complex we have largely enjoyed cordial relations and a cooperative spirit with the Capitol Administration and staff members (both past and current).

  We've found the Admin and technical staff to be nothing but helpful, courteous and always willing to assist us in our different presentations of visual art exhibits, special events, and especially, in the successful presentation of Artcite /HOT's annual, international Media City Experimental Film and Video Festival. The Capitol staff and Admin have also generously donated the use of seating for events and special left equipment for the numerous times we have had to reach our 20 ft high ceilings to install artworks, equipment and hardware for our different art shows).

  Artcite has also acknowledged this publicly, but we'll do so here again: as anchor tenants in the Capitol complex since November 1992 (months before the Capitol was officially 'saved' from the wrecking ball), we are grateful for the extremely affordable rent that we enjoy, and for the fact that the Capitol has always been understanding on those occasions when we've experienced cash-flow problems between granting periods.

  That said, just a few comments/observations: it is indeed unfortunate that there remains a lingering perception that Windsor's "arts community" can't "focus on the positives" and can't work together...

  Perhaps this perception arises as a result of the extreme demands on the time and efforts of Windsor's many arts groups (both professional and amateur), cultural workers and volunteers. In these tough economic times--and even at the best of times--most of us are stretched to our limits just trying to survive as organizations and as individual working artists and performers (and volunteers, and educators, arts advocates and apologists, etc.).

  (( Just a pet peeve about the term "arts community": it is a bit of a misnomer, as there are *many* different arts communities--visual arts, performing arts, amateur, professional, etc.)--all made up of many different individuals, with different interests and ideas. It's the same concept as when politicians--or whoever--refer to "the public"...again, there is no *one*, unified public with one, prevailing point of view... )).

  Advocacy campaigns (look at how great and happy we all are! Let's celebrate our daily successes!) and building collaborative partnerships unfortunately often end up on our less urgent "to-do" lists, but I'd argue that Windsor's arts community has a great--and long-standing history of working together, positively.

  Witness:
  • the actual saving of the Capitol in 1993 (for the record, former ACWR Director Pat Wilson remains a major, unsung hero in the original fight to save the Capitol--as does Nancy Nicholson, who provided invaluable legal advice, public advocacy--and passion--during the early years of the Capitol)
  • the current (and ongoing) fight to save the Capitol
  • the actual founding of cooperative arts organizations like Artcite, Common Ground, HOT, WFT, WPF, Canada South Performing Arts, Theatre Alive, Windsor Dance Experience, etc., etc.,
  • the annual Day Without Art Collective commemorations
  • Arts Birthday Celebrations in January
  • the Labour Arts Fest, SmogFest, the City Street Celebration, the Maiden Lane Art Fair, etc.,
  • the CCPART Public Arts Report (a working document for the development of a Municipal Public Arts Policy for the City of Windsor drafted over a 2-year period by several arts professionals from different arts groups and community citizens. The CCPART document was "adopted in principle" by Council, buut was never implemented)
  • Windsor Endowment for the Arts (although unfortunately still inchoate)
  • special projects like the Living with the Enemy project (a city-wide and cross-disciplinary collaboration between Artcite, HOT, the Windsor Feminist Theatre, the Well-Come Centre, Hiatus House, House of Sophrosyne, Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women, etc., etc.)
  • the annual Visitors in the Arts guest lecture series, presented collaboratively since 1985 (!) by 5 different arts orgs and institutions

  The list goes on (and on) and doesn't include the numerous cross-border exchanges and collaborations initiated and developed by Windsor's arts groups...

  Seems time to (re)launch a city-wide celebration of the arts and recognition of Windsor's cultural workers and volunteers...c'mon! Didn't we all look forward to the annual Mayor's Awards for the Arts?

  In her post, Ms. Warren also made the comment that: "Windsor's arts community is just too small and way to (sic) incestuous."

  Isn't this just another way of saying that we *are* all working together? (Insert stupid smiley emoticon here).

  The post continues: "Sadly, for some members, it's (sic) motto appears to be "self interest above all else" at any cost, with no consideration of the bigger picture or working together." If this were the case, wouldn't we all have chosen some other, much more venally-rewarding (as opposed to spiritually rewarding) profession?

  Moving on from the cheerleading portion of this post, and in the spirit of "building bridges" (and fair play, etc.), I feel that I must also correct/clarify Ms. Warren's statement that "the administrator of an umbrella arts organization that tried to avoid paying out and spent, funds in held in (sic) trust for the Capitol Theatre...".

  This comment misrepresents the actual circumstances of the situation, aka the "Waddell Affair". After the Waddell Estate was finally settled in Fall 2003, it is true that three of the recipient arts groups received their final 'split' of the annual Waddell trust monies before other, less financially strapped groups.

  However, it was the contention of the "administrator of an umbrella arts organization" that representatives of all of the arts groups named in the Waddell Trust were asked if they would agree to a deferred payment of their share of the Waddell trust; two of these parties admitted that this was, in fact the case during a May 10, 2004 meeting of the Waddell Trust beneficiary arts groups (I was in attendance at the meeting, and can attest to the truth of this). While the minutes of that meeting (as prepared by a Capitol admin rep) don't record the statements of these groups, which confirm that the "umbrella group Administrator" was in fact, not being deceptive in her contention that the arts groups had agreed to a deferral in the payment of their share of the estate.

  The entire payment dispute at the time hinged on an often-referenced "30-day payment agreement" -- which, according to my comprehensive files on the settlement of the Waddell Estate simply did NOT/does not EXIST. (When I repeatedly asked for a copy of this agreement at the time of the "Waddell affair", it could not be produced).

  On recalling this case, and the unfortunate devisiveness that resulted from the (mistaken) accusation of any "calculated wrongdoing" or "deception" on the part of the "umbrella administrator", it might be fair to also point out that the Capitol's decision to retain separate legal counsel (that is, in addition to the legal counsel retained by 4 of the 5 other arts groups) in the settlement of the Waddell Trust cost the arts beneficiaries an additional $7220.93 in legal fees (this cost had to be absorbed equally by all the arts groups).

  Just for the (continuing) record...

  But: happy things. We often forget to express our thanks to the many tireless (and criminally underpaid) workers and volunteers that are the reason that Windsor *has* such a vibrant, diverse and relevant arts community--so this is to say THANK YOU ALL! And thanks, especially, to the (thus far) thank-less and sadly-missed staff of the Capitol.

  The arts tenants of the Capitol (Artcite, HOT and Media City) look forward to working cooperatively to a positive, community-based resolution of the "Capitol saga". This is a small community, and I agree with all previous posters that we must work together towards the betterment of us all.

• Bravo !!
  That was then and this is Now.

  Stick with it.
  I'm glad to see the art's community is taking a positive approach to this jewel of Windsor
  Sorry, I just didn't have the fortitude to endure.

  For me, The road through heill was paved with good intentions.

  Hope a fresh journey continues

• Cristine,
  Christine,
  In hind site, it was a bit unfair and rather emotional on my part to include all arts groups in my comments. But, I would never go as far as, to say that the arts community as a whole works well together or supports and promotes each other, or I wouldn’t have to do any “cheerleading” at all.

  Yes, there has been numerous partnerships, I know the Capitol as well, coordinated and participated in many, to many to mention. However, the information I am reading is so inaccurate, mean spirited and personal, even by people that I have never worked with or have never met, that I can’t help but get frustrated and emotional. Contrary to popular opinion, I am a sensitive soul as well. Some in the arts community can’t see beyond their own issues, that doesn’t mean that what they do is not “spiritually rewarding” it is truly unfortunate for most artists in this community, that their passion and expertise in the arts is not “venally-rewarding”.

  Yes, I agree there are many unsung hero’s in 1990 - 1993 that helped save the Capitol, as well as those that secured and provided funding, renovated it and made it successful from 1993 - 2005, once again too many to mention, as I wouldn’t want to miss anyone.
  Regarding the Waddle estate, we never agreed to a “delay of the Capitol’s or AGW’s disbursement of funds”. All groups were to be paid at the same time. An agreement was negotiated by our legal counsel only after the funds were dispersed to some groups and not others. This was not in accordance with the terms of their trusteeship.

  We had to send legal letters in order to secure a meeting with their Board President that included representatives from the AGW and their legal council as well, who also were not paid, in order to come to an arrangement and set terms for repayment as the umbrella organization had spent the funds.

  Regarding legal fees, we had secured a lawyer right from the time we were notified of the award by letter. We were not aware of who had responded to the letter, nor that some of the other groups had joined forces to secure one legal council, until just prior to the first meeting. However, we had already made an agreement with our legal council well prior to attend the first meeting of the groups. Therefore, we were too far along in the process to cancel his legal services at that point. We did agree at the second meeting to allow the umbrella organizations appointed legal council to finalize the agreement and administer the funds and disbersements on our behalf.

  I understand that arts groups are unfortunately struggling, but we did not even receive a request to delay disbursement or to arrange special terms, we found out after the fact, that the funds were dispersed to Artcite and Common Ground and the remaining had been spent by the organization. We were told that they needed the funds more than we did. Perhaps that was true at the time, but the process of not informing us and/or requesting a delay in disbursement and/or negotiating terms for repayment, prior to spending funds was certainly mishandled and was in fact illegal.

  I don’t believe that we should allow any arts organization or individuals to not be professional or accountable, in spite of significant funding challenges. There is no excuse for unethical robin-hood behaviour. When Artcite was faced with grant funding delays, you came and talked to us, explained the situation and we responded to your granting timetable. Our relationship for the most part was positive and reciprocal, when we needed your assistance or equipment, you were there for us as well.

  I would like to see the arts groups / individuals in this community receive the recognition and support they have earned and deserve. It is indeed a sad statement when all are required to focus so much of their energy scrounging for every dollar in order to maintain and provide their products or services to the community. Rather than focusing on fulfilling their mandates and developing their organizations and art carriers. Healthy businesses unlike the arts, are adequately financed and able to plan for the future based on predictable and reliable revenue streams and resources.

  What many in our community do not understand, is that the bottom line for the arts is dependable sustainable operational funding. That this funding, if directed towards the arts will intern be matched provincially and federally by amounts ranging between 40 – 100%, a very nice return on their investment. There is no one group more deserving than another, funding is relative. All organizations large or small are vital in the niche services and programming that they provide. It is disheartening to see that after 25 years in the arts, many groups are still in the same tenuous financial position that they were then and are still spending an inordinate amount of time effort and resources building cases for nominal municipal support. Don’t divide, unite and concour!

  Patricia Warren BFA - CFRE

• I visited the Capitol Theater for the first time today. I must say from the rumors I had heard, I was expecting a run down theater in need of millions of dollars in repairs. I was totally intrigued to find a state-of-the art theater complex with many modern upgrades. The technical aspects of the theater were all there, from the computerized light boards, fly system, to the historic elements that make this theater unique. I have been in plenty of theaters and seen many back stages, dressing rooms, cat walks - the Capital was outstanding. The appeal to take my children to a historical landmark to see a play is unmatched. Much more appealing than a stale facade of a building. You remember this theater. History is worth saving and from what I saw, not much effort is needed to make this a thriving business again.