Just look at building to see council's failure
File Photo / The Citizen
Arts council's stewardship of theater debated
Arts council's stewardship of theater debated
Seventy years ago, Auburn closed its schools and shops to make way for “The Pageant of Progress.” The pageant was a large celebration parade that ended up at the doors of Auburn's newest marvel, The Auburn Schine's Theater. About 3,000 people tried to cram their way into the brand new theater for the first afternoon show on Sept. 15, 1938. With a seating capacity of only 1,702, many first-time patrons were turned away until the evening show, which also sold out. The theater continued to be Auburn's centerpiece until the late '70s.
Today the same theater that brought famous movie stars into our little town is silent. The very building that was the hope for Auburn's future has little future of its own. Just 10 years ago the Auburn Schine's was world famous. Today, the world is wondering what happened. The project took off with a tremendous fire and then suddenly smoldered out.
I can tell you “first hand” what truly happened. The problem began when an already shaky Cayuga County Arts Council took on a worthy project that was much too big to be handled alone. Ideals differed, original agreements were not honored and tempers flared. The sudden loss of our friend and leader Dick Mahlstedt was another serious blow dealt to the group. Dick was the glue that held us together. All these issues and more resulted in the disbanding of Friends of Auburn Schine's Theater (who are credited with the project's early success).
Since then a struggling arts council, which can barely keep its own head above water, has been doing little more than trying to keep up appearances. Interested organizations, volunteers, television and media crews have all been kept away from the theater. Funding sources have dried up and to date not one attempt has been made by the council (itself) at a significant fundraiser or capital campaign.
As the monumental 70th birthday of a national treasure comes and goes without notice, it seems that there is no one here in Auburn who knows or cares. Meanwhile, the oblivious Cayuga County Arts Council keeps plugging away at tea parties, pathetic art showings and prestigious piano concerts that were all handed to them by their predecessors. Very little has happened there on South Street in quite some time. The monies left to the theater project by its previous board have all been spent on new doors and poster cases. Ironically, those doors are locked and the building still sits there totally useless. Directors have come and gone and yet almost no new funding has been secured. However, the present arts council did manage to get one meager grant a few years back that was added to the door restoration fund. That particular grant was secured by copying a previously submitted application and “tweaking it just a little.” A once credible project has fallen on hard times due to apathy, secrecy, false pride and ignorance.
Sadly on its 70th birthday, the Schine's Theater slips slowly backwards. The new mortar on the building's crown is cracking and falling away again. The new poster cases proudly display their fresh black paint now peeling away. The marquee sits empty because there are no volunteers to put a Band-Aid on it and again have it bringing in money and drawing attention as it was before. Large black trash bags now cover the window on the new doors in order to conceal the decay and rubble of falling plaster inside. On the rear of the building, small trees are now growing out of the corners of a new $160,000 roof. Clearly neither the arts council nor the community should be proud of what has happened here.
If you were to ask the arts council, they would tell you everything is fine and that they are moving ahead in leaps and bounds. Realistically, one only needs to open their eyes to see the real truth.
But do not ask the group for specific details about the building that your tax dollars paid for. That information is kept in total secrecy and locked behind those lovely new doors that are destined to fade long before they ever open.
If they ever open.
Happy birthday, Auburn Shine's Theater. Those who truly know and care for you are raising a toast to your future on the 15th.
-END-
Progress has been made; future is bright
By The Cayuga County Arts Council
The Cayuga County Arts Council is pleased to have the opportunity to talk about some of our recent developments and about our programs. We are excited to have recently moved into our new office in downtown Auburn at SS. Peter and John Church. This new location will enable us to be more available and accessible to the residents of Auburn and Cayuga County. Additionally, we are happy to welcome our new executive director, Michelle Graney. She already has proven to be a great asset.
Our organization serves a broad mission, which encompasses many projects both large and small. Each project serves the arts community while also serving the community at large. We are proud of them all. We are responsible for the New Year's Celebration, which is becoming one of the premiere family events in our community. We continue to co-sponsor the Adams Foundation Piano series, which brings to Auburn world class music programming. We are partnering with the Community Preservation Organization's Home Tour and presenting “Art in the Park” on Saturday, Oct. 4, where many local artists will be showcasing their work. We are members in good standing of the Historic and Cultural Sites Commission.
In addition to these and other projects, we also own the historic Auburn Schine's Theater. As the property holder of the theater, we have developed a comprehensive plan for its restoration and renovation. We understand that this landmark is an important symbol of our collective identity. We know that all of these projects contribute to the economic and social fabric of our county.
The renovation of the theater is an enormous project, but equally enormous is the potential benefit to our community upon its successful completion. Since we purchased the theater we have faced our share of challenges, and have enjoyed many successes. We are proud to have raised more than $1 million via state and federal grants, foundation grants and private contributions. Some of that money was used to restore some of the facade of the theater, including the doors, the poster cases, and the exterior brickwork. Unfortunately, it was necessary to use the balance of the funding on less glamorous work, such as roof replacement, sump pump replacement and asbestos removal. The good news is that the completion of all of these projects has served to prevent further damage to the interior of the structure. We can now proceed with our plan to renovate the lobby and make it accessible to the public.
We have received some criticism for the slow nature of the process, and we share that frustration. A large capital improvement project such as this requires diligent, tireless effort, particularly during difficult economic times. We are optimistic, however, that our dedicated board of directors, which continues to grow in experience and expertise, along with our motivated new executive director, will be able to build on past successes and restore the Schine's Theater to its original grandeur, for the benefit of the entire community. We have good reason to be optimistic, as we are proud to have received pledges of support from our federal, state and local elected officials. In addition, we have support from the New York State Council of the Arts, the major arts funding entity in the state. Most importantly, the citizens of our community recognize that we are lucky to have this architectural and historical treasure and that it is our duty to respect and preserve it. Together, with a spirit of cooperation, we can and will bring this important project to fruition.
The Cayuga County Arts Council Board of Directors is comprised of a hard-working group of volunteers. The success of our programming is dependent on the willingness of the public to donate their time and support. We welcome the contributions of our community members in all of its forms: volunteerism, financial donations, in-kind donations, constructive criticism and suggestions, and participation in our events.
For more information on ways in which you can become more active in the arts council's many projects, contact us at 169 Genesee St., Auburn, or call 252-0950.
Today the same theater that brought famous movie stars into our little town is silent. The very building that was the hope for Auburn's future has little future of its own. Just 10 years ago the Auburn Schine's was world famous. Today, the world is wondering what happened. The project took off with a tremendous fire and then suddenly smoldered out.
I can tell you “first hand” what truly happened. The problem began when an already shaky Cayuga County Arts Council took on a worthy project that was much too big to be handled alone. Ideals differed, original agreements were not honored and tempers flared. The sudden loss of our friend and leader Dick Mahlstedt was another serious blow dealt to the group. Dick was the glue that held us together. All these issues and more resulted in the disbanding of Friends of Auburn Schine's Theater (who are credited with the project's early success).
Since then a struggling arts council, which can barely keep its own head above water, has been doing little more than trying to keep up appearances. Interested organizations, volunteers, television and media crews have all been kept away from the theater. Funding sources have dried up and to date not one attempt has been made by the council (itself) at a significant fundraiser or capital campaign.
As the monumental 70th birthday of a national treasure comes and goes without notice, it seems that there is no one here in Auburn who knows or cares. Meanwhile, the oblivious Cayuga County Arts Council keeps plugging away at tea parties, pathetic art showings and prestigious piano concerts that were all handed to them by their predecessors. Very little has happened there on South Street in quite some time. The monies left to the theater project by its previous board have all been spent on new doors and poster cases. Ironically, those doors are locked and the building still sits there totally useless. Directors have come and gone and yet almost no new funding has been secured. However, the present arts council did manage to get one meager grant a few years back that was added to the door restoration fund. That particular grant was secured by copying a previously submitted application and “tweaking it just a little.” A once credible project has fallen on hard times due to apathy, secrecy, false pride and ignorance.
Sadly on its 70th birthday, the Schine's Theater slips slowly backwards. The new mortar on the building's crown is cracking and falling away again. The new poster cases proudly display their fresh black paint now peeling away. The marquee sits empty because there are no volunteers to put a Band-Aid on it and again have it bringing in money and drawing attention as it was before. Large black trash bags now cover the window on the new doors in order to conceal the decay and rubble of falling plaster inside. On the rear of the building, small trees are now growing out of the corners of a new $160,000 roof. Clearly neither the arts council nor the community should be proud of what has happened here.
If you were to ask the arts council, they would tell you everything is fine and that they are moving ahead in leaps and bounds. Realistically, one only needs to open their eyes to see the real truth.
But do not ask the group for specific details about the building that your tax dollars paid for. That information is kept in total secrecy and locked behind those lovely new doors that are destined to fade long before they ever open.
If they ever open.
Happy birthday, Auburn Shine's Theater. Those who truly know and care for you are raising a toast to your future on the 15th.
-END-
Progress has been made; future is bright
By The Cayuga County Arts Council
The Cayuga County Arts Council is pleased to have the opportunity to talk about some of our recent developments and about our programs. We are excited to have recently moved into our new office in downtown Auburn at SS. Peter and John Church. This new location will enable us to be more available and accessible to the residents of Auburn and Cayuga County. Additionally, we are happy to welcome our new executive director, Michelle Graney. She already has proven to be a great asset.
Our organization serves a broad mission, which encompasses many projects both large and small. Each project serves the arts community while also serving the community at large. We are proud of them all. We are responsible for the New Year's Celebration, which is becoming one of the premiere family events in our community. We continue to co-sponsor the Adams Foundation Piano series, which brings to Auburn world class music programming. We are partnering with the Community Preservation Organization's Home Tour and presenting “Art in the Park” on Saturday, Oct. 4, where many local artists will be showcasing their work. We are members in good standing of the Historic and Cultural Sites Commission.
In addition to these and other projects, we also own the historic Auburn Schine's Theater. As the property holder of the theater, we have developed a comprehensive plan for its restoration and renovation. We understand that this landmark is an important symbol of our collective identity. We know that all of these projects contribute to the economic and social fabric of our county.
The renovation of the theater is an enormous project, but equally enormous is the potential benefit to our community upon its successful completion. Since we purchased the theater we have faced our share of challenges, and have enjoyed many successes. We are proud to have raised more than $1 million via state and federal grants, foundation grants and private contributions. Some of that money was used to restore some of the facade of the theater, including the doors, the poster cases, and the exterior brickwork. Unfortunately, it was necessary to use the balance of the funding on less glamorous work, such as roof replacement, sump pump replacement and asbestos removal. The good news is that the completion of all of these projects has served to prevent further damage to the interior of the structure. We can now proceed with our plan to renovate the lobby and make it accessible to the public.
We have received some criticism for the slow nature of the process, and we share that frustration. A large capital improvement project such as this requires diligent, tireless effort, particularly during difficult economic times. We are optimistic, however, that our dedicated board of directors, which continues to grow in experience and expertise, along with our motivated new executive director, will be able to build on past successes and restore the Schine's Theater to its original grandeur, for the benefit of the entire community. We have good reason to be optimistic, as we are proud to have received pledges of support from our federal, state and local elected officials. In addition, we have support from the New York State Council of the Arts, the major arts funding entity in the state. Most importantly, the citizens of our community recognize that we are lucky to have this architectural and historical treasure and that it is our duty to respect and preserve it. Together, with a spirit of cooperation, we can and will bring this important project to fruition.
The Cayuga County Arts Council Board of Directors is comprised of a hard-working group of volunteers. The success of our programming is dependent on the willingness of the public to donate their time and support. We welcome the contributions of our community members in all of its forms: volunteerism, financial donations, in-kind donations, constructive criticism and suggestions, and participation in our events.
For more information on ways in which you can become more active in the arts council's many projects, contact us at 169 Genesee St., Auburn, or call 252-0950.
The Citizens' Say
There are 13 comment(s)
one time usher wrote on Sep 16, 2008 6:21 PM:
Jack Mitchell was the manager when I worked there and make the job a joy. "
Farmer's Gal wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:44 AM:
"...already shaky Cayuga County Arts Council took on a worthy project that was much too big to be handled alone. Ideals differed, original agreements were not honored and tempers flared."
I had the impression that the Arts Council "won" the turf battle, pushed other groups aside, then let the Schine sit there and did nothing. Mind you, this is just my *impression* and it goes back some years.
Hopefully things have changed for the better since then and they'd be open to assistance from others. "
Unknown... wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:33 PM:
brew1234 wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:27 PM:
yetanotherpinhead wrote on Sep 14, 2008 12:35 PM:
Still, I too am frustrated about the art council's lack of proactivity and results. They can defend themselves all they want, but the results (lack thereof) speak for themselves. Monthly reports about the progress? That shouldn't take up too much space.. "nothing to report this month", for how many years now?
I appreciate what has been done, but years between efforts is completely unacceptable. The time for action (and fundraising) is NOW. "
nature lover wrote on Sep 14, 2008 12:15 PM:
U naysayers wanting a larger Wegmans, get with the program, will ya? "
MaryL wrote on Sep 14, 2008 11:34 AM:
Farmer's Gal wrote on Sep 14, 2008 10:45 AM:
Unknown... wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:21 AM:
Farmer's Gal wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:19 AM:
Sounds like the bureaucratic nonsense is still on full speed. What a shame! I love old movie palaces, and not every small city in America has one any more. This one is going past the point of no return thanks to a lot of people who just cannot seem to work together in an effective fashion to raise money, get grants and get the work done.
My ex worked with Todd G as a volunteer from time to time, and I can say, that man has a passion and devotion to this building. But now, you can hear the bitterness that comes of banging your head against a brick wall for too many years.
Good luck to the Schine on its birthday, but I am not holding my breath. At this point, the philistines with no sense of aesthetics or history are likely to have their way and tear it down. "
realist wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:28 AM:
pentangelli wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:39 AM:
RICHARD102167NY wrote on Sep 14, 2008 2:48 AM: