CCMinutes - 05/12/04 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Hankins emphasized the return on investment the community realized from the Hult, saying that every time a visitor stayed overnight in Eugene, the division received $2.88. He said the division was working on weekend packages built around the arts to attract more visitors to stay overnight in Eugene. In addition, he wanted the division to partner to a greater degree than in the past with the Hilton Convention Center to host conventions of all kinds, because every dollar of room tax revenue generated another $5.58 in the commu- nity. Mr. Hankins recommended the City revisit the Hult Center's priorities, and that the center begin to host more world-class artists and entertainers as well as be a true home for the community's arts organizations. He advocated for the division to take advantage of changes that were happening downtown, and to help make downtown a true arts center. Mr. Hankins spoke of the City's several resident companies and commended the quality of their performances. He also noted the many arts venues that now existed downtown and suggested the City could build on its resident companies and those other venues. Mr. Hankins called for a Cultural Services Division that looked at the %ig picture," marketing Eugene arts on a national basis, promoting cultural tourism, and working to bring the arts to all citizens. Mr. Hankins encouraged the councilors to support the arts and to talk about the arts at every opportunity. He called for more arts spaces in downtown, and suggested the City had buildings it could use for that purpose. He said University of Oregon students should be encouraged to be in downtown; he believed that would be one of the fastest ways to enhance downtown. Mr. Hankins reported that on a recent Saturday night, he had the opportunity to watch three very different cultural events: the McCornack Elementary School production of the musical ~The Sound of Music," the Eugene Concert Choir performance of Verdi's ~Requiem," and, an outdoor performance by fire jugglers and drummers at the Cafe Paradiso. He suggested that experience could only happen in Eugene. Mr. Hankins suggested as Eugene's new slogan ~America's Greatest City of the Arts and the Outdoors." He said a recent book by Richard Florida indicated economic development of the future was in the arts and the outdoors. Mr. Hankins said the 25th anniversary of the Hult Center was the perfect time to celebrate how far Eugene had come, and to prepare to create an even greater future. Mayor Torrey called on councilors for comments and questions. Mr. Kelly emphasized the importance of the division to the City's civic and economic life and suggested the arts were what kept Eugene from being just a collection of zip codes. He said the arts brought joy, education, and awareness. Mr. Kelly believed the arts were a means of calibrating the community's ~moral compass." He applauded the division's work and Mr. Hankins' enthusiasm, as well as his willingness to be creative. He believed the center needed to remain both publicly owned and publicly managed, with broad council oversight. He wanted to see more links with other performing arts groups so Eugene could be marketed as a package arts destination. Ms. Bettman thanked staff for the presentation and commended Mr. Hankin's enthusiasm and vision. She agreed with the points Mr. Hankins made in his presentation. She supported looking for niche ways of doing sustainable economic development, and felt the presentation ~hit the nail on the head." Ms. Bettman said the connection between youth and the arts should not be underestimated. All the resident arts companies had a connection to the different schools and private dance teachers, and the relatives of the MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 12, 2004 Page 2 Work Session