Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission

Annual Report

2018 Table of Contents

WELCOME 2

INTRODUCTION 3

THE COMMISSION 4 MISSION AND VISION 4 LEADERSHIP 4 MANAGEMENT 5 2018 ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVERVIEW 5

PROGRAMS 7

VISION AND PHILOSOPHY 7 ROOTED IN COMMUNITY 7 A BEACON FOR THE WORLD 9

OPERATIONS 11 FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 11 OUTLOOK 12

MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION 13 ABOUT MERRIWEATHER 13 RENOVATION UPDATE 13 MERRIWEATHER IN THE COMMUNITY 18

OUTLOOK 19

Welcome

On behalf of the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission, I am pleased to introduce our 2018 report on activities and impact. This was a year of “ups” and a very notable “down” for the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission.

The year’s low point came at the beginning—January 13th, when the iconic roof of Merriweather Post Pavilion collapsed while being raised as part of the venue’s ongoing renovation project. This was unexpected, to say the least, but we were incredibly fortunate that there were no injuries and little ancillary damage to the property as a result of this accident. Thanks to the dedicated team at Merriweather and with our contractor, Costello Construction of Maryland, the roof was rebuilt in time for the season to start. The show must go on, and it did.

As owners of this iconic amphitheater since 2016, the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission has developed expertise and partnerships to overcome the challenges big and small that arise. The roof collapse tested us, but now, nearly a year later, we see this test in the same way that we see others: As a reminder that our work as stewards of Merriweather Post Pavilion must be our main priority. Without a thriving Merriweather, we would struggle to fulfill the second part of our mission—namely, to bring world-class artistic and cultural programming to this amphitheater and throughout Downtown Columbia.

And over the last year, the Commission has made vital and significant strides towards bringing a new and dynamic vision to life at Merriweather and beyond. While we again hosted a successful season of outdoor movie nights in 2018, we also established partnerships and expanded our staff to better support our programming work. Notably, we developed formal partnerships with the Howard County Public School System and the Columbia Festival of the Arts, and we also hired our first ever Artistic Director, Darin Atwater. We will be talking about Mr. Atwater and our programming plans for 2019 and beyond in the coming weeks and months.

The Commission’s successes over the last year and since its founding are due in large part to the tremendous support we have enjoyed from residents, businesses, community partners, and elected officials. We truly appreciate this support and will continue to operate in a way that is diligent, responsive, and responsible.

As you will read in the attached report, there is much that we accomplished in 2018 following the unexpected start, but our focus is ahead to 2019. The year will begin with an opportunity that we have not had in the past, an opportunity to bring Merriweather to life with new, innovative performances that engage, challenge, and inspire audiences. The roof is back up, and the future is looking that way too.

Deborah Ellinghaus Chair Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission

2 Introduction

The Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission (DCACC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding artistic, cultural, civic, and educational programming in and around downtown Columbia, Maryland. Since its founding in 2013, the Commission’s most significant accomplishment was its acquisition in 2016 of Merriweather Post Pavilion, an iconic and beloved outdoor amphitheater surrounded by 40 acres of woodlands in the heart of Columbia, Maryland.

Currently in the midst of a multi-year, comprehensive renovation and modernization project, Merriweather is the Commission’s primary focus—through its responsibilities and obligations as the property owner and as part of its budding programming initiatives—and the organization is fully committed to preserving and enhancing the cultural significance of the venue.

In 2018, the Commission continued its diligent oversight of Merriweather Post Pavilion and its renovations, and at the same time it took measured steps to expand its programming and organizational capacity and expertise.

3 The Commission

Mission and Vision The mission of the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission is twofold: 1. To promote, produce, and support artistic, cultural, civic, and educational programming at Merriweather Post Pavilion and throughout Downtown Columbia; and 2. To preserve and enhance the cultural significance of Merriweather Post Pavilion.

While the Commission is an independent non-profit community- based organization, its creation was called for in the 2010 Downtown Columbia Master Plan, which envisioned a new arts organization that would assume ownership of Merriweather Post Pavilion and, through this ownership, expand opportunities for world class artistic and cultural programming throughout Downtown Columbia.

With an ambitious foundation for arts and culture laid out in the Downtown Master Plan, the Commission has adopted as its organizational vision making Downtown Columbia and Merriweather Post Pavilion premier destinations for arts, culture, and community.

Leadership The Commission’s work is guided by a seven-member Board of Directors, which includes five citizen directors and two ex-officio directors. The current roster of directors is:

• Deborah Ellinghaus, Chair • Joanne Davis, Vice-Chair • Jeffrey Lavis, Treasurer • Louis Ulman • Maurice Bellan • Milton Matthews, ex-officio • Vacant, ex-offico

The Commission’s directors have focused on nurturing the growth of the Commission in a way that responds to the needs of the community but also

4 recognizes the opportunities ahead. It has been working to develop and refine a conceptual strategic plan that is centered around three key objectives:

1. To enhance the cultural significance of Merriweather Post Pavilion through physical renovations, expert operation, and expanded programing. 2. To foster the growth of artistic, cultural, civic, and educational programs offered in Downtown Columbia. 3. To develop the organizational capacity of the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission to successfully and sustainably accomplish its goals and achieve its vision.

Within each of these objectives are goals for the Commission’s board and staff that are associated with its mission. This conceptual strategic plan was used to guide the most significant decisions the Commission faced this year, and it will be refined over time as the organization continues its growth and maturation.

Management Implementing the vision and direction laid out by the Board of Directors are the commission’s two full-time staff members: Executive Director, Ian Kennedy, and Artistic Director, Darin Atwater. Complementing the Commission’s staff and board are several outside consultants and contractors whose specialized expertise ensures the effective operation of the organization. The Commission relies on the support of professional services in the areas of legal, accounting, programming, and construction management.

While the Commission owns and oversees the operations of Merriweather Post Pavilion, direct responsibility for the day-to-day operations and management of Merriweather, including the booking and production of the concerts for which the venue is most known, rest with the venue’s operator, It’s My Amphitheater, Inc., which manages the property according to the terms of a long- term lease between it and the Commission.

Funding for the Commission’s work comes from a variety of sources. Operationally, the Commission’s largest source of revenue is lease rent from IMA. The Commission also receives donations, sponsorships, and revenue from events to support its programming and community-based initiatives. Construction funding for the Merriweather Post Pavilion redevelopment project overseen by the Commission has come in the form of grants from Howard County Government and the State of Maryland, as well as a $16 million loan secured by the venue’s operator. Photo courtesy of Howard County Government

2018 Accomplishments Overview

In 2018, the Commission engaged in several initiatives and activities which will be detailed in this report. Chief among these activities was its oversight of the Merriweather Post Pavilion renovation

5 project, which encountered a significant and unexpected challenge in January of 2018 when the roof collapsed while being raised as planned. However, the Commission also spent considerable time and energy focused on building its organizational capacity and programmatic reach through partnerships and collaboration. The Commission introduced its first programming concept in 2017 with its “Merriweather Movie Nights” series, providing a glimpse of its vision to make Merriweather a premier destination for artistic, cultural, and community events. These movie nights continued in 2018, and while it worked on other programming concepts that came close to materializing, the Commission ultimately chose to forgo large-scale, main-stage programming in 2018 in favor of a more concerted push for 2019.

6 Programs

Vision and Philosophy The Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission’s vision for fulfilling the programmatic component of its mission is beginning to come into focus. This vision will be refined over the coming years as it brings new and dynamic programming to Merriweather and beyond, and as audiences and the community respond. However, at this point in time, the Commission’s programming philosophy recognizes that its work must stay grounded and rooted in the community it serves, but from this solid footing it must also reach skyward, to boldly envision new possibilities for Merriweather Post Pavilion and Downtown Columbia. Merriweather Post Pavilion was built to serve as a beacon for Columbia, a chance to bring the world to Columbia but also to show Columbia to the world. Our programming philosophy aligns with this original charge.

The Commission’s hope is to finally and fully bring to life Merriweather’s original purpose in a way that is organic and aligned with the values that have made Columbia so successful, and also, like the city itself, innovative, forward- looking, and visionary.

The Commission is committed to working in a way that reflects its values: inclusive, collaborative, accessible, and innovative. This philosophy builds upon what’s best about Columbia and Howard County, but at the same time, it recognizes that these principles and values compel the organization and its leaders to always do better.

Rooted in Community DCACC’s programming work over the last two years has largely focused on deepening its roots within our community—developing stronger relationships and frameworks for collaboration and also providing residents of Howard County and elsewhere with new and exciting ways to enjoy Merriweather Post Pavilion.

The Commission’s most notable program to date is its now-annual series of popular outdoor movie nights at Merriweather Post Pavilion. With music-themed films and low-cost and free ticket options meant to appeal to residents of all ages, “Merriweather Movie Nights” have proven to be an effective way to expand Merriweather’s use and have been welcomed wholeheartedly by the community. In all, more than 10,000 people have attended movie nights and the feedback has

7 been overwhelmingly positive. The Commission plans to continue this popular series in 2019 and explore opportunities to integrate more interactive elements to the experience for guests. It is also hoping for better weather in 2019, as rainy weather on two of the four movie nights in 2018 kept crowds on the smaller side.

The philosophy of expanding Merriweather’s use to provide more residents with a chance to come to the venue is also on display in some of the Commission’s more behind-the-scenes work. In particular, the Commission works with the venue’s operator to help coordinate community use of Merriweather—especially the backstage building—by community organizations and institutions. Non- profit groups have hosted fundraisers at Merriweather, retreats for staff and boards of directors, and other events. Howard County Government and the school system have also made similar use of the venue, and during certain weeks in the winter, Merriweather’s backstage building hosts a cold weather shelter. The Commission also regularly hosts tours for community groups to see and learn about Merriweather Post Pavilion, its history, and its future. DCACC is exploring several imaginative programming ideas for 2019 that would expand again the notion of what’s possible at Merriweather Post Pavilion.

As part of its community-focused programming work, the Commission has been working on formal and informal relationships with local partners. In early 2018, the Commission and Jordan Kitts Music of Maryland signed a memorandum of understanding that will lead to additional programming at Merriweather Post Pavilion and will help better connect the Commission with music resources. Later in the spring of 2018, it formalized a partnership with the Howard County Public School System to work Photo courtesy of the Howard County Public School System together on new programming and educational initiatives for 2019 and beyond, and this partnership already resulted in the first North American performance by world-renowned violin duo “Two Set” in Columbia in October. And finally, in July of 2018, the Commission and the Columbia Festival of the

8 Arts formalized a collaboration effort that expands the Commission’s programming expertise and provides CFA with office space at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Formal agreements aside, DCACC has also continued to strengthen its relationships with arts and community organizations throughout the community and the region. However, while this community-based work is still in the early stages, it is critical to fulfilling DCACC’s mission. And therefore, the Commission will continue building relationships with community partners and others to bring new programs to life in a way that is collaborative, inclusive, and effective.

A Beacon for the World The “main stage” at Merriweather is big and has played host to the world’s biggest performers in music and art. While Merriweather will continue to host the signature concerts for which it has become known, the Commission’s biggest task is to bring this stage to life with cultural performances that are high-quality, reasonably priced, and reflective of the diversity of interests and audiences in this community and region; that complement the venue’s existing programming; that are appropriately sized for this large venue; and that are financially sustainable.

Perhaps the Commission’s greatest challenge in this work is one of scale; Merriweather is a large venue, which translates into greater expenses for producing events and a need to attract larger audiences. During the fall and winter of 2017, DCACC began building relationships with programmers and other arts organizations to create new, world-class programs and events at Merriweather. Over the course of many months and many conversations, it became clear that producing these events as planned for the summer of 2018 would have been premature. The Commission was not ready to host events of the scale that the venue demands, but the work that went into envisioning and planning these events was not wasted. Indeed, it provided the Commission with valuable experience and knowledge that will serve it well as plans for 2019 main stage programing come into greater focus.

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One of the most significant moves the Commission made in 2018 is also one it hasn’t discussed much yet—notably, the hiring of its second full-time employee and first Artistic Director, Darin Atwater. Atwater brings more than 20 years of experience as a conductor, composer, performer, producer, and artistic visionary to the Commission. He will guide the Commission’s growth as an arts programmer, bringing the main stage of Merriweather to life in ways that we have yet to imagine.

As noted previously in this report, the Commission envisions a future for Merriweather Post Pavilion and Downtown Columbia as premier destinations for arts, culture, and community, and it will work to achieve this goal through innovative and visionary leadership, stronger collaboration, and a renewed commitment to the values that underlie Columbia and its decades of success.

Photo courtesy of the Downtown Columbia Partnership

10 Operations

As noted throughout this report, the Commission continued its steady organizational growth in 2018, refining its competencies as landlord and in its role overseeing construction at Merriweather Post Pavilion. DCACC continues to engage outside experts in the fields of law, construction, financing, and insurance to help guide its work and organizational development in those areas rather than expanding staff to meet these responsibilities. Moreover, DCACC has continued to engage the expertise of its board members to support the growth of the organization, as well.

The Commission is continuing to build its community outreach efforts and has been developing strategies and plans to better engage its stakeholders in the community. Its social media and web presence is expanding steadily, and these activities will become more visible as the organization introduces new programming to the community.

Financial Activities For much of its early existence, DCACC was focused on the acquisition of Merriweather Post Pavilion, expending considerable funds for legal and other professional services to achieve that end. With the transfer of ownership of Merriweather complete, the Commission’s financial operations are becoming increasingly more predictable. In 2017, the Commission changed its fiscal year to January 1 – December 31, and thus in 2018 it completed two separate tax returns for Fiscal Year 2017 and a short-year from July 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017.

On the revenue side, the Commission is now receiving rent from its lease with IMA, Inc. and it has also received considerable revenue from sponsorships and donations, as well as ticket sales for some of its events. As for expenses, the bulk of what the Commission spends is related to staffing costs and professional services. With a small staff of two, the Commission’s employees are asked to serve in many different capacities—administrative, financial, fundraising, communications, marketing, and program development. As the Commission expands its programming efforts, we are developing plans and concepts for generating additional revenue to sustainably support this work over the long-term.

Funding for the renovations at Merriweather Post Pavilion come from a variety of sources. Notably, the Commission and the venue’s operator finalized a $16 million private loan with a local bank to fund a portion of the renovation project in 2017. The Commission received a $2 million grant from Howard County Government in 2017 and a $1 million grant in 2018. The 2017 grant was used to fund the completion of the backstage building, and the 2018 grant was used to fund portions of a new bathroom and concessions facility as well as some of the replacement seating costs. The

11 Commission also received an $8 million grant from the State of Maryland in 2018 that was used to fund portions of Phase 4 of construction. More information about the sources and uses of funding for the Merriweather Post Pavilion redevelopment project is below.

Outlook As the Commission looks ahead to 2019, its organizational outlook is promising, if still somewhat uncertain. This will be DCACC’s first full year with two full-time employees as well as the assistance from Columbia Festival of the Arts staff. In the year ahead, it will continue to make use of outside professional assistance as needed, and as the Commission has done throughout its existence, the Board of Directors will closely monitor the organization’s operations and provide support and guidance as needed. The Board is also assessing its own expertise and looking for areas where it can be strengthened to better serve the organization and its mission.

12 Merriweather Post Pavilion

About Merriweather Nestled in 40 acres of woods in the middle of Columbia, Maryland, Merriweather Post Pavilion is the region’s premier destination for performing arts and entertainment. It is a world-renowned outdoor amphitheater that has hosted some of the biggest acts in performing arts and entertainment each summer since its opening in 1967. Designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, the pavilion’s signature roof and wooded setting have made this fan- and performer-favorite an iconic example of the “shed” style amphitheater.

Since its construction in 1967, the venue has played host to the most iconic performers of the last five decades—from the Grateful Dead to Taylor Swift and the National Symphony Orchestra to Aretha Franklin—and it has garnered international acclaim and attracted millions of guests from every continent.

Named as one of the top four Photo courtesy of the Columbia Archives, a service of the Columbia Association amphitheaters in the country by Rolling Stone magazine, Merriweather Post Pavilion is a driver of significant economic impact for Downtown Columbia and the entire central Maryland region, drawing more than 300,000 guests each year. Officially, the venue seats 19,000 guests but its capacity often expands during festival shows which make use of Symphony Woods, the parkland surrounding the pavilion.

After nearly 50 successful years, Merriweather is in the midst of a major overhaul that will leverage its iconic setting and structures by adding world-class amenities sought by artists and guests. The renovation project is a partnership between Merriweather’s operator, the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission, the State of Maryland, and Howard County Government.

Renovation Update Renovations at Merriweather Post Pavilion are ongoing and will total five phases. The pavilion had not undergone any major renovations since its construction in 1967, but the Downtown Columbia Master Plan of 2010 called for the multi-phase renovation and modernization to ensure the pavilion’s viability for the next five decades.

The renovation plans—based on physical needs assessments from 2004 and 2014 and developed by the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission and the pavilion’s current operator—

13 include improvements to all facets of the venue. The construction project is directly managed by the venue’s operator—It’s My Amphitheater, Inc.—with oversight and input from the Commission.

The venue is being rebuilt to incorporate modern features and amenities that are required by performers and expected by guests, while preserving the charm and unique experience for which Merriweather is known. Care is being taken to build and rebuild in ways that are harmonious with Merriweather’s existing look, feel, and wooded surroundings—trees are being preserved, stormwater features are being integrated into all phases, and the buildings themselves are being built to “green” standards. The new stage house and backstage building both received “Silver” certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

As of this report, the first three phases of construction are fully complete and the fourth phase is still in process. Phase 1, completed in September of 2015, involved the complete replacement of the venue’s “West Plaza,” including a new entrance, box office, concession stand, and bathrooms. Started in October of 2015, Phase 2 included the full replacement of Merriweather’s stage house and backstage building to bring them up to current industry standards.

Of particular note on Phase 2 is that Merriweather’s new stagehouse is significantly taller than its original. By increasing the height of the stagehouse, Merriweather is able to host performers with larger “production” needs (lights, sound, screens, etc.), and the back stage building includes a full commercial kitchen and multiple dressing rooms to ensure artists choose to come back to the venue year after year.

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The third phase of the renovation project included the construction of a new concession stand, bathrooms, box office, VIP deck, and office/warehouse space for operations in the venue’s “South Plaza”. Construction on this phase began in October of 2016 and was fully completed by September of 2017.

In the fall of 2017, the fourth phase of construction at Merriweather commenced and included raising the original roof nearly 20 feet, new seats, and new structures to cover the venue’s “loge” sections. During the raising of the roof in January of 2018, a critical failure occurred and the roof collapsed. There were no injuries and no additional damage to the property, but this obviously complicated an already ambitious off-season construction project.

15 The roof was rebuilt according to its original design and some of the original wood from the fascia was preserved and incorporated into the new structure. The venue was able to open as planned for its first concert of the 2018 season in early May, with the new roof, loge covers, and seats installed in time. Refinements to the new retractable roof system over the former loge sections continued into June. Merriweather’s raised pavilion roof provides greater sight lines for patrons sitting on the lawn and allows for better positioning of lawn speakers to help mitigate sound spillover outside the property.

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Construction has again commenced at Merriweather this winter, with work beginning on the full build-out of the structures covering the loge areas, which will include sky boxes and a one-of-a-kind elevated lawn seating. Phase 4 is scheduled for completion in time for Merriweather’s concert season this spring, and thereafter work will commence on additional concession stands and restrooms as part of Phase 5, the final for the project. Once complete, the renovations will make the entire property accessible for those with mobility constraints.

As the table below shows, funding for the renovation project has come from a variety of sources, including the venue’s operator, the State of Maryland, and Howard County Government. This public- private partnership has been critical to the revitalization and future success of Merriweather Post Pavilion.

17 Merriweather in the Community Merriweather’s location in the center of Columbia makes it unique among amphitheaters of this kind, but it also means that it has a greater obligation than most to be a good neighbor. To that end, the Commission has continued to expand its visibility as Merriweather’s “steward” through outreach to key stakeholders, representation at meetings and hearings, and by publicly documenting the renovation project. As part of this work, DCACC works with the venue’s operator and other stakeholders to ensure that spillover impacts from Merriweather—whether sound, traffic, or other—are minimized to the greatest extent possible. This work will be ongoing and may increase in importance as additional residences are built around the venue. Photo courtesy of the Office of Governor Larry Hogan

This role also involves working with community partners to coordinate activities in and around Merriweather Post Pavilion. As Downtown Columbia continues to redevelop, more activities, events, programs, and people will arrive, making the work of coordination and collaboration even more important. The Commission regularly convenes and participates in meeting and working groups to ensure that Merriweather and Downtown Columbia work together in harmony.

18 Outlook

The Commission’s board and staff are as excited as ever about the future of the organization. As the construction at Merriweather continues to progress toward completion and as the organization has grown into its role as an effective “landlord”, the time has now come to shift focus more toward programming and bringing Merriweather’s original purpose as a home for world-class artistic and cultural programming.

This work will be guided by a dynamic, innovative vision for what’s possible, by the foundational values of the community it is fortunate to call home, by a clear mission, and by a board and staff that are dedicated to delivering on the promise laid out in the Downtown Columbia Master Plan of 2010.

Merriweather sits in the heart of this community, physically and otherwise. While DCACC will continue as diligent and dedicated stewards of this cherished landmark, it looks forward to growing into a true cultural institution that is, like Columbia itself, deeply rooted in this community and its values and always reaching skyward to new, previously unimagined heights.

The Commission would like to thank all of those in Columbia, Howard County, and beyond who have supported the organization and its work over the years, and the staff and directors hope this support will continue for the exciting months and years ahead.

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