The region’s art and cultural resources are known to be scant. The question is, what do we do about it? A good first step is to study the area, catalogue its resources and make suggestions for development of more. Exhibiting forward thinking and a supportive partnership, two groups launched such a study. Plus many stakeholders helped fund the endeavor.
They are proud to announce, the results are in!
In early 2008, the Arts and Culture Council of Truckee Tahoe, in partnership with the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association (NLRTA), kicked off this ambitious effort to raise over $100,000 to fund a region-wide look at how to create a vibrant arts and culture community.
‘This is the first time we have come together as a region to examine our art and cultural opportunities. The only way we can capture this incredible potential is by thinking and working together across County and State lines,’ says Ron Treabess, NLTRA Director of Community Partnerships and Planning.
Duncan Webb, of the New York City-based Webb Management Services, was hired for the job; he concluded the first portion of the study in September. Phase I included an assessment of the opportunities and challenges facing the art and culture community and an evaluation of the overall regional demographic trends. The consultants conducted more than 80 interviews with local art and culture stakeholders.
Most local artists would have handily predicted the conclusions: there are too few quality art and cultural facilities, and this lack of available quality studio and performance spaces is stifling the creative arts. Webb recommended a 30-year Arts and Culture Master Plan that, if implemented, would strengthen regional arts and culture well into the future.
From a policy perspective, Webb suggested the creation of a regional arts organization, which would paint a vision for a thriving art and cultural community as well as provide support services such as centralized ticketing and calendaring, and event promotion. The Arts and Culture Council of Truckee Tahoe (ACCTT) was identified as a potential organization that could take on this function.
Webb sees the creative economy as a potential opportunity to help remedy local issues such as land use development, affordable housing, income disparities between residents and second homeowners, and loss of the youth population. He pointed to a recent effort in the Berkshires of Massachusetts where the local government and arts organizations led a economic initiative that has created over 6,000 jobs and led to more than $10 million in investments for capital improvements in the past five years.
Webb’s recommendations for Truckee Tahoe facilities included community-oriented art centers for local performances; large-scale performing arts centers for regional and touring programs; outdoor amphitheatres; cultural event plazas; and a visual arts center with space for local artists to work and sell their wares. To help map what is planned with what is needed, Webb identified 11 art and cultural facilities that are in various stages of the development process today, including several buildings in the Truckee Railyard project, the new community center by Truckee Donner Recreation and Park, an amphitheater at Homewood and an amphitheatre at Northstar.
In early September, community members responded with excitement and encouragement to a presentation of the Phase I findings. They encouraged the continued dialogue with developers to build what is needed, not what is wanted and expressed the hope that designers would incorporate high quality technology in the plans.
During Phase 2, Webb Management will be working with many of the proponents of the planned arts facilities to ensure that they understand the regional needs and requirements and potentially work these into their plans. In this phase, Webb will look more closely at site analysis, business planning, and the bottom line for the master planned facilities. Results are expected by end of November.
‘A focus on arts and culture will deepen our sense of place, diversify and create jobs, and will generate significant economic contribution from those who want to be a part of our arts community,’ says Rich Valentine, ACCTT Boardmember.
Funding support has come from a wide range of stakeholders: The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation, Tahoe Mountain Resort Foundation, Sierra Nevada College, the Town of Truckee, Truckee Donner Recreation and Parks District, Inner Rhythms Dance Studio, KidZone Museum, Arts for the Schools, and Holiday Development.
For a copy of the Phase I results, visit the NLTRA website at nltra.org and go to the documents section.
ACCTT’s mission is to: Celebrate and promote art as a vital component of daily life for every man, woman and child in the community. (acctt.org)
NLTRA’s mission is to: promote tourism and benefit business through efforts that enhance the economic, environmental, recreational and cultural climate of the area. (nltra.org)
ACCTT Board of Directors
Alanna Hughes; Ceramic artist, business owner Riverside Studios
Carol Meagher; BFA, painting; ED KidZone Museum
Elizabeth Archer; Dancer; Artistic Director InnerRhythms Dance Theatre
Katrina Veit; BA Theatre; community advocate
Kellie Cutler; MA Arts Administration; Nevada Arts Council – Carson City, NV 2000-2004
Lauren O’Brien; Patron of the arts; Streamline Consulting – Partner
Margarita de Nevárez; Sacramento Mexican Consulate I.M.A. Member, FRC Director 1999-2005;
Nancy Tieken Lopez; Artist and Artistic Director for Trails and Vistas; Artist-in-residence for Arts for the Schools
Rich Valentine; Thespian; Business Owner, TIP
Tizoc Garcia; Musician, Vice Principal Truckee Elementary
