How did the Arrowhead Center for the Arts (ACA) come to be? Since becoming a part of the Grand Marais Playhouse Board, I have often wondered about the relationship between the Playhouse, the ACA, the school and the community. Here’s what I learned.
In the early 1990s, the Playhouse was looking for another location as it was housed in a building that can only be described as dangerous. At the same time the school was looking at adding on to its structure. With the assistance of many community members who had a vision of what “could be” the ACA became a part of the school building project.
The cost of the entire project was covered by a voter bond referendum, money from the State of Minnesota, and funding from the IRRRB (Iron Range Resources Rehabilitation Board). It is important to remember that the ACA includes two arts classrooms, a large band/music classroom and an English classroom in addition to the auditorium and the office spaces leased by the Playhouse and the North Shore Music Association. This means that most of the ACA is used by the school every single school day.
Originally, a non-profit board was formed to manage the ACA and it did so until 2002. The original intent was that the school would have use of the ACA for two thirds of the time and the remaining one third would be for rental groups. Sue Hennessy is the facilities manager— a part time position that requires her to manage the ACA for non-school use. She is also in charge of and responsible for the technical equipment.
The ACA is the only venue in Grand Marais for large performances and can accommodate up to 300 people. The ACA has proper aisles, wiring and plumbing up to code, the proper number of bathrooms and so on. Sue Hennessy and Mike Groth, grounds and facility director for ISD 166, have had the appropriate training to manage and maintain the facility as well as handle emergency situations.
The ACA has an automatic external defibrillator and Hennessy is well versed in OSHA regulations. Simply put, when you are in the ACA you are in good hands!
The Playhouse entered into a new lease agreement in 2008 with the school district and pays $10,000 a year for use of the ACA space.
In addition, the Playhouse agreed to assist with a number of school productions, including the One Act Play
and Night
of the Notorious.
ThePlayhouse also provides the elementary students with free attendance to the youth play every year and free attendance for the middle school students to attend the high school play. Most of us take this perk for granted, but in many other schools students pay to go on field trips to special events like this.
Many other services are provided to the school by the Playhouse and it has been a beneficial relationship for both parties. The $10,000 paid in rent is a guaranteed source of income for the school.
One of the common misconceptions surrounding the ACA is that many groups and even individuals seem to think there is no cost involved in using it. The fact is that there are rental fees and they vary by the type of group, such as a nonprofit vs. a profit group. These fee schedules are public and available at the Community Ed. office. Thefees are very fair and competitive.
The Playhouse works hard to make its financial commitment to the school. Our income comes from three primary sources—membership, advertising, and attendance. Although we hoped our 40th season celebration this year would find us rolling in cash, the opposite is true. We are, however, committed to living within our means, being creative in our production schedules and continuing to work hard to bring in grants and monies wherever possible. Hopefully, this column will provide some insight for community members and other groups that use of the ACA is not free. We have a fabulous asset in the ACA that we can be proud of—a professional space that is underutilized. I hope that our community will support what they helped build.
Playhouse Board Member
Maureen O’Phelan provides this
behind-the-scenes look at Grand
Marais Playhouse activities.
On a lighter note, on December 4 there will be a 2011
Season Announcement Gala at 7:00 p.m. in the ACA.
It is free. We’ll have hot cider and Christmas goodies
as well as some entertainment showcasing the
upcoming season. Mark your calendar for this fun and
inexpensive date!
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