1. We have Thalian Hall and Kenan Auditorium; why do we need a "performance hall" for Wilmington?
2. Who gets to use it?
3. Where would a performance hall be located?
4. Why is a performance hall so important?
5. What is ARCH's role in the development of this project?
6. What has been done lately?
7. Will the city / county / state be involved?
8. How can I help?
1. We have Thalian Hall and we have Kenan Auditorium; why do we need a "performance hall" for Wilmington and its region?
We have been fortunate to have Thalian Hall (Main Stage - 682 Seats) and Kenan Auditorium (1014 seats) these many years, and both exhibit the significant role arts play in Wilmington and the region. But their sizes limit the types of programming they can support, and neither facility's performance space can be enlarged. The needs assessment recently completed for our region outlines what we are missing:
"a premiere state-of-the-art facility of 1,300 - 1,500 seats to accommodate an array of cultural and entertainment activity with acoustical quality for unamplified music in a full fly tower, proscenium facility with an integrated shell panel system, stage extension(s), orchestra pit and significant support zones and loading areas to support the requirements of touring Broadway and other large production events."
The area includes Minnie Evans Performing Arts Center (900 seats) located far south on Carolina Beach Rd. and operated by New Hanover County Schools, which schedules the facility heavily for the system. Although Odell Williamson has 1500 seats, it is located about 18 miles from Wilmington in Brunswick County, well away from the audience base for area events.
In short, we have a significant gap at the top of the range of arts venues: a large, high-quality performance hall.
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2. Who gets to use it?
The best question and answer of all. We ALL do! The performance hall we are hoping to bring to our region will be able to house performances of off-Broadway touring companies, children's theater, jazz, all kinds of dance, country western and blue grass, well-known speakers, symphony orchestras, opera, big bands - in short, a much broader range of performers and performances than we have now because of the size and excellence of this new facility.
This is a Community-based facility that becomes a vehicle for Community:
- Changing and improving life in the region.
- Wilmington's new "Town Green" in the 21st Century, a place where citizens gather together to celebrate.
- The "place to be" regionally, where people are involved and engaged and connected.
- A Creativity Center for enhanced education and life-long learning opportunities.
A Future for the New Generation:
- Where educational opportunities for area youth capture their imaginations and help prepare them for life in the 21st Century.
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3. Where would a performance hall be located?
Several potential sites present an array of possibilities and choices. A community-based facility requires community involvement in evaluating and making a final site selection.
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4. Why is a concert hall so important?
In addition to providing a new level of performance offerings and a needed venue for children's educational programs, a state of the art performance hall provides quality of life additions to the region, and serves as an economic engine that assists with corporate recruitment and "knowledge sector" advancement. Such a community-based facility becomes Wilmington's window to the world, bringing the world to Wilmington, with the per4forming arts as the catalyst.
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5. What is ARCH's role in the development of this project?
ARCH, a grass-roots, citizens group has been and continues to be the "voice" for many people who think our part of the world deserves a first-class performance hall. ARCH has provided the money - about $50,000 - through a grant from the Landfall Foundation and private individuals' contributions to undertake a professionally developed plan to access the needs for it and to design an program for achieving it. ARCH is the community's liaison with the university and our municipal governments to bring together the many factors necessary for the success of the project.
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6. What has been done lately?
ARCH has worked with nationally recognized consultants in performing regional needs assessment, in co-sponsoring and hosting a capital campaign fundraising workshop, and in developing a business model and pan. ARCH has also organized and hosted an architectural competition.
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7. Will the city/county/state be involved?
A project of this size cannot be accomplished without enlisting the support of government at all levels. This means that lines of communication have to be kept open, and that we count on their creativity in guiding this project through all the regulatory tasks that apply.
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8. How can I help?
Here are five simple ways:
- Stay informed
- Help spread the word
- Bring an ARCH speaker to a club or neighborhood gathering
- Help on Committees
- Put us in touch with foundation and corporate leaders
Stay in touch with what's happening through this website. Talk with friends and neighbors about the need for this addition to our community's resources. Let us know that you want to be involved with ARCH. Let us know that you want to help through financial support. (We will need more money soon to hire an architect for concept drawings. ARCH is a 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization, and your contributions may be tax deductible.) Tell city council members, county commissioners, state and federal representatives that you would appreciate their support in making this happen. There are many ways to be helpful, and ARCH welcomes everyone's support.
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