Arts/West, the city's performing arts center on West State Street, might never be able to finance itself, but that's OK, city officials said yesterday.
In a slight turn from the original concept of having a totally self-funded arts facility, Athens Mayor Ric Abel and councilwoman Carol Patterson, D-at large, said they wouldn't mind if city tax dollars continue to subsidize it because promoting the arts is a positive city endeavor.
It's just like running a swimming pool
Abel said. Every few years if it's a really hot summer you break even.
But Patterson and Abel said it is still the city's goal to have the arts facility fund itself and the salary of its full-time director, a $30,000-a-year position that already has been written into the city's budget.
That would be a goal
Patterson said. I see nothing wrong with the city supporting the arts G? Usually the arts and recreation by their very nature take some support from the city G? I just do not see this where something that's the bottom line is the finances.
As it stands now, the facility itself covers building expenses and program costs without any tax dollars, Patterson said. The only thing not covered by grants and revenues is the $10,000-a-year salary of Emily Prince, the part-time Arts/West events coordinator.
The 2007 budget for Arts/West is about $92,000, $30,000 of which comes from city income tax funds, city auditor Kathy Hecht said in an e-mail. Last year, the budget was $86,000, the majority of which came from city money, Hecht said.
Arts/West is located at 132 W. State St. in the former Nazarene Church, which the city purchased for $350,000 in June 2005, said councilman Jim Sands, D-at large.
'Dianne Selden contributed to this article.
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