A Founding Document of the West End Cultural Centre
Written by Mitch Podolak and Ava Kobrinsky
The West End Cultural Centre
The purpose of a Cultural Centre is to function as an animation within the artistic community and within the community at large. On one hand we shall produce on our own, concerts, plays, exhibitions that have a popular appeal to Manitobans. As well we will co-produce with other arts organizations (working with groups like Mime Works, for example) we will endeavor to develop weekend children’s programming, based on Manitoba’s children’s performers. Working with the Kids Festival we could co-produce in our facility productions of a national or international reputation. (The range of the Centre will be the entire performing arts, jazz, country music, folk music, theatre, dance, mime, poetry, storytelling, and classical music will all be included. In many instances it will be possible to plan cross form events encompassing several different arts at once. An example could be ‘Reading from the Poems of Pablo Neruda as accompanied by Interpretive Jazz.
It is not our intention to compete with the existing arts organizations in Winnipeg. On the contrary it is our express intention to compliment them. But more important than that, it is our intent to work directly with local writers and musicians to assist in the creation of new works and to give these new works a public expression. It is also our intention to produce many of the fine artistic work that by passes Winnipeg because of many reasons the most serious of which is fear.
We are including in this letter an imaginary monthly schedule for your perusal. It should be clear that this is constructed based on a maximum audience size of about 300 per performance.
On the other hand, it is our clear intention to foster a dialectical process in which the artistic and social spinoffs become (in time) their own entities. Examples could be:
Working with neighborhood kids in developing circus and vaudeville skills which could spin off into a children’s circus
Working with the labour movement and other interested parties in developing a labour choral group which could then spin off into performing for labour and other community events.
The development of a neighbourhood chamber orchestra, or big band or jazz band, etc.
Consciously working with young musicians who are developing as rock + roll players and providing rehearsal space and music business advice
We could give you literally many other examples of what is possible by utilizing this process. The value of course is in bother the process and in the end result. It is our sincere belief that the West End Cultural Centre will become in time a major focal point of the Arts in Manitoba.
The idea that we are presenting to you is not an original idea on our part. Its just a really good idea. The origin of the idea and it’s base model is that of the Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Ten years ago it was one of the most exciting place to be in Canada. Today somewhat more sedate with age it is still one of the most exciting places to be. We intend to add a serious amendment to this idea, that of a serious concern for the well being of our fellow humans. We are going to attempt to cross breed some concepts. That of a professional arts organization with a group of socially concerned people who believe in change. Into the mi we want the people in the neighbourhood. We know that in the ‘sophisticated’ eighties we shouldn’t use corny expressions like a real ‘grass roots’ arts organization. Grass roots like the Yiddish Theatre was to the community in the twenties – but sophisticated in it’s approach and exciting in it’s style so as to appeal to the broadest range of people in the community. It is our sincere belief that we can Stimulate the community in a major way. Even if they hate us, they are going to love to hate us.
The structure of the organization is going to be hybrid. A small staff. A mixture between experience and youthful exuberance. Encompassing such skills as negotiating with agents, promotion, fund raising, carpentry, artistic direction, production skills, sound mixing, light design, skillful volunteer organization, etc. A collective team, tight, battle tested and innovative. The board composted of people connected in the community, successful in their own lives and careers, philosophically community and pragmatic in their approach. A volunteer organization built from the neighbourhood and the community at large. The volunteer organization will be built along skill development lines and will provide in time a real backbone for the Centre as well as being part of the process of sinking deep roots into the community.
Not By Bread Alone
A successful solution of the elementary problem of food, clothing and shelter and even of literacy does in no way signify the development of culture. Only by the direct intervention of the conscious element in society will culture be more than an expression of the mass produced, huckstered and homogenized junk which we are daily fed on television and on radio. In contrast to ‘popular’ culture, and in contrast to the ‘kulture’ of the ‘vultures’, the development of the people oriented, community-b ased institutions which touch the earth will go a long way towards the successful emergence of a real Canadian culture. It is not enough to throw culture at people and to hope some ot it sticks. Nor is it enough to count of the spontaneous creative urges of the under supported artists in the community. Nor is it enough to erect gigantic buildings and mausoleums dedicated to the enshrinement of the Arts. What is necessary however the development of alternate cultural institutions that will do the work on the ground floor. Cultural animators, who will make damn sure that working people and their children will have access to the arts. Who will make sure that cultural snobs don’t turn them off and make them feel small. Who will make sure that the process connects in a real way with their lives. Who will make sure that people will get involved not in some peripheral wy but with their head and brains and guts.
To Stir the Pot Of Discontent
Without questions the W.E.C.C. will be an overt instigator. An initial commitment to programming includes; A firm agreement on the part of the board, that the Artistic Direction of the organization will be that a significant portion of the programming be animated to ensure the participation of Manitobans, Women, the Labour movement and Immigrant communities. We see this as possible within all of the artistic disciplines in which we will be involved. We see this in both capacities, as producer directly and as co-producer with various community organizations.
In addition, the W.E.C.C. will in its programming and activities become (1) an integral part of the Infrastructure for Peace. We will do this in conjunction with the Peace Movement by organizing concerts, plays, readings, etc. around the theme of peace, (2) an open artistic advocate of the equality of all human being specifically focusing on the issue of sex and race. Again, we will do this through direct programming in conjunction with the appropriate groups in the community.
Some Additive Benefits of the Proposal
What Goes Around Comes Around
Without a doubt this process will spark a good deal of creative energy. With a conscious desire to interface provincially the W.E.C.C. could and should be the kick off place for a continual stream of province-wide productions. An example would be a play written in Winnipeg and produced by the W.E.C.C. or at the W.E.C.C. by another producer with the Centre as the tour organizer. While we don’t see this as immediately on the agenda, it is our clear desire to achieve the maximum benefits to the province as a whole by this approach. Perhaps like the W.F.F. the example which sparked the development of all the Folk Festivals in Western Canada well also be true for Cultural Centers in Manitoba.
The Building
The location is excellent. Situated in central Winnipeg the Portuguese hall is a free span building unencumbered by pillars. It has already many of the facilities needed to create the Centre, including a stage, washrooms, kitchen, office space, projection-sound booth, and dressing rooms. Overall, it’s excellent. The process of conversion is going to be mainly cosmetic. As well we would have to lease or purchase some standard sound and light equipment and seating. The major drawback is that the back corner of the building is sinking but it is functionable as is. We will have to jack it up and probably we should do it first. We already had an engineer’s report done and we are budgeting for it.
The Budget
Preparation of a finely tuned budget is not possible within the time frame of the writing of this letter. However, we will attempt to present a fair assessment of what is possible and necessary. The buolding is for sale and the asking price is $160,000. We think by negotiation it will come down significantly. However, for the purpose of this exercise we will use $150,000 as a base figure.
One the capital side, we will need:
A significant down payment $50,000
Cost of sound, lights and seating $30,000
Cost of jacking the building $65.000
Cost of cosmetics $25,000
Cost of Office Equipment, etc. $10,000
$180,000
At the time of writing discussions have been set up with Jim August at Core who has expressed serious interest and Alan Howison at Winnipeg Foundation who is also interested. The above costs are ballpark and should not be taken as the Gospel. For instance, some of the above costs can be cut by doing portions of the work ourselves, the question of buying or leasing equipment will seriously vary costs. As a principle the larger the down payment the small the ongoing operation cost is going to be. It depends on the scenario. We do not want to turn the place into a palace – we just want it funky and functional. The initial set up costs money. What are the variable combinations? Perhaps the $75,000 maximum from the new program should go entirely into the down payment. Core could provide the fixup and the Winnipeg Foundation the seats and lights.
Much of it won’t be clear until after the discussion set for this week. What role will donated or leased gear play? It might affect operations rather than capital. We’re confident however that within a few week’s time the hard costs can be identified.
On the operations side
The mortgage
Wages
Promotion
Telephone / Office
Everything Else
Operating on the assumption that we will make money on the productions that we produce. Also operating on the assumption that revenue will come on the following items:
Ticket sales
Flexible alcohol sales
Provincial Operating Grants
Municipal Operating Grants
Federal Project Monies (Canada Council, DOC)
Corporate Donations (Until they begin to understand)
Individual Donations
Everything else
Exploration Grant – Canada Council
