2010.08.24
Today’s breaking arts news: Taubman Museum of Art lays off four staff members
In some ways, perhaps, this isn’t a surprise. I’ve confirmed today that on Friday, Aug. 20, the Taubman Museum of Art laid off four more employees. Museum officials attribute the job eliminations to the need to craft a sustainable budget. You can read the breaking news story by clicking here.
Last month, I published a story taking a look at the museum’s finances and some of its plans for the future (click here to read), and also offered additional comments here.
I welcome any feedback you readers might have.
Will the last one out please cut off the lights?
We need an old fashioned, instead of office pool, a “citizen Pool” on who guesses the date of the last person leaving to cut off the lights. Almost half the cities population, ten years ago, was rental property.
This was a “rich man’s play toy project” that will become the biggest white elephant this city has ever seen. Certainly the biggest waste of space I have ever seen in a building. Tear it down and put up a parking lot, or yet the amphitheater and save Elmwood Park.
Comment by Duane — August 24, 2010 @ 3:51 pm
Something doesn’t add up. Compare our $66 million building to the Vincent Price performing and fine arts center in east L.A.
http://www.insidesocal.com/rose/2010/04/photos-new-arts-complex-at-east-los-angeles-college-nearing-completion.html
How is Roanoke’s sq ft/cost so out of whack? The expensive architecture is not the draw, it’s what’s inside.
Comment by ron mexico — August 24, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
I guess I’ll have to say “I told you so”. I have said before in this culturally retarded city if it does not involve UFC Smackdown or Nascar them the snobby elitist few can not make it happen because they want it to be so…this is and shall be a small corrupt little town with big aspirations but in the end “America’s Funniest Videos” is about as much culture as these rednecks can handle…
The museum was HUGE money wasted and will continue to be so. I will look forward to getting a hot dog from a vendor there someday or smirk at the “Property Available” sign that will be in front of it one day…look at Roanoke’s history and you will see I am not far off.
Comment by Willie — August 25, 2010 @ 1:18 pm
I thought the whole premise of the new art museum was for the community…concerts, public lectures, unique events, partnering with other cultural organizations, etc. It seemed to be happening the first year but then the direction changed with new management. The public didn’t seem to matter anymore, just the people with big pocketbooks. Well, it’s too bad the biggest pocketbook took all of their art out of the building because they also do not agree with the new management. When the name on the building doesn’t support the direction, it is only a matter of time before the lights go dim!
Comment by destiny — August 26, 2010 @ 7:56 am
Hey, “destiny,” I find myself curious, because there’s a piece of your argument that is puzzling me: do you not consider the events created for “Posing Beauty in African American Culture,” (see here, http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/254899 — and here, http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/255219 ) to be events for the community? Or the free Thursday evening hours? Are you saying these are just for the big pocketbooks?
Comment by mikeallen — August 26, 2010 @ 10:08 am
Hi Mike, my comments are meant to be that…comments not an “argument”. I think it is great that the museum finally agreed to participate in the Free Thursdays as had been proposed by the Arts Council since their opening (in conjunction with Art by Night). But if you’ve been to the exhibition (say “Posing Beauty”), then there really is no reason to go back until the exhibitions are changed which seems to be every 6 months…which means I would visit 2x a year. Without other public events, there is not a draw to the rest of the public. The idea, at least in this less cultured area, is to expose a large diversity of the public to art…much of the population in this area may not have had the opportunity or may not even have the desire to step foot into an art museum. BUT if you have diverse public events, then you are exposing a more diverse population to art. This would help to boost attendance which in turn boosts memberships, assists with securing grants, etc. I hope this clarified my previous comment.
Comment by destiny — August 26, 2010 @ 1:01 pm
I appreciate the response!
Comment by mikeallen — August 26, 2010 @ 1:04 pm
I am curious. Why did the museum create it’s own Art “At” Night when there is already an Art “By” Night? I know that the museum is open every Thursday night instead of just one Thursday a month, but why would it desire to disassociate itself with the local art community? I have seen the exhibits in the Taubman and have visited the local galleries. I enjoy the local galleries far more than the Taubman. Maybe if the museum were more sympathetic to local and regional art there would be more support.
Comment by VonBraun — August 30, 2010 @ 8:34 pm