Asheville Area Center for the Performing Arts scales back fundraising effort

Jason Sandford March 27, 2013

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

From my story in the Asheville Citizen-Times regarding the Asheville Area Center for the Performing Arts scaling back it’s effort to raise millions for a new performing arts center:

ASHEVILLE — The nonprofit that’s been raising money for the past decade to build a new performing arts center in the city has announced it is scaling back its effort.

“While we have received more than $5 million in cash and pledges from over 500donors, we will not move forward until the majority of funds for this ‘right-sized’ $30 million project have been secured,” the Asheville Area Center for the Performing Arts said in its newsletter.

In 2004, the organization began its formal push to build a new center to replace the aging U.S. Cellular Center and Thomas Wolfe Auditorium performance venues.

The group’s original fundraising target was $85 million. The proposal included a 2,100-seat performance hall, as well as a smaller hall for shows and rehearsals, as well as office and community space. Plans now call for a 1,750-seat hall with digital media arts center, multi-purpose room and education spaces, with a $30 million fundraising goal. The proposal is to build it just south of Pack Square Park.

Over the past several years, the organization had hired a design architect, acoustic designer and a host of consultants. The nonprofit was also paying its executive director, James Baudoin, a salary of more than $200,000 a year.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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7 Comments

Symphony Supporter March 29, 2013

Does anyone know the answer to Asheville Artist’s question? Is James Baudoin still the paid executive director of this project?
What plans is the Symphony making if the Performance Center is not built for a decade?

Reply
1. Jason Sandford March 30, 2013
  
  Symphony Supporter, I’m still trying to reach someone from the group who can tell me. I’ve been told that Baudoin is stepping away from the job as e.d. for the group. I don’t know what plans the symphony is making.
  
  Reply
  1. Symphony Supporter April 1, 2013
    
    Thank you for inquiring on this.
    
    Reply
Asheville Artist March 28, 2013

Is Baudoin still on salary?

Reply
Nate March 28, 2013

Haven’t they been stalled at this “$5 million raised” level for several years now? How in the world can they justify continuing to pay two full-time staff year after year when there’s no real prospect of the thing being built any time soon?

Reply
Wayne March 27, 2013

So how much of that 5 million has gone to the executive director’s 200K annual salary and for how many years? Shoot, I’ll take that job

Reply
1. Jason W. March 28, 2013
  
  Looks like that would be 1 million of the 5 million raised. This project needs to be re-evaluated.
  
  Reply