Economic Impact of the Arts in...

in other states. However, over time, OVERVIEW with the Council’s active involvement, he Oklahoma Arts Council celebrated its logistical and financial support, Okla- 40th anniversary last year after being cre- homans in every corner of the state now have the opportunity to create, ated in 1965 with major assistance from perform or attend arts activities. then-Governor Henry Bellmon and the In carrying out its mission “to Legislature.1 With $11,500 appropriated lead, cultivate and support a thriving arts environment, which is essential to from the Legislature and an additional quality of life, education and economic $36,000 from the federal National En- vitality for all Oklahomans,” the Coun- dowment for the Arts (NEA), the Coun- cil’s work is overseen by 15 members, all private citizens, appointed by the cil was able to fund touring performances to eight Oklahoma governor and confirmed by the state towns along with a limited number of visual arts and technical Senate to serve three-year terms. The Tassistance programs by 1967. In the subsequent four decades, Arts Council members are assisted in the implementation of various pro- the Council’s outreach and program efforts have increased ex- grams by a staff of 17. The Council ponentially and thousands of matching grants to cultural or- receives funds primarily from state ganizations, schools and local governments have been funded appropriations and the federal govern- ment, with additional funds flowing in through appropriations received from state and federal funds. from other public sources. The Coun- In fact, one of the most impor- organizations throughout the state. cil did not secure any funds from pri- tant ways the Council accomplishes its The latter development also is very vate sources during the review period. objectives is by providing grants to a important because until the Council range of organizations to deliver arts began its numerous programs across FUNDING FOR THE and arts education programs. Dur- the state, Oklahomans were limited to ing the past 40 years, the Council has enjoying and participating in the arts in ARTS provided grants to more than 1,000 the state’s larger metropolitan areas or The fiscal situation in Oklahoma reflected the trends in other states dur- Table 22 Funding to the Oklahoma Arts Council Fiscal Years 2001 through 2005 Other Funds Federal Fiscal Year State Funds Funds Amount Source Total 2001 $4,684,804 $492,900 $200,000 Dept. of Education for Alternative Education $5,607,011 $229,307 Dept. of Human Services for Youth Arts $429,307 2002 $4,545,772 $530,300 $200,000 Dept. of Education for Alternative Education $5,505,379 $229,307 Dept. of Human Services for Youth Arts $429,307 2003 $4,318,483 $584,100 $190,000 Dept. of Education for Alternative Education $5,272,583 $180,000 Dept. of Human Services for Youth Arts $370,000 2004 $3,864,077 $586,500 $175,085 Dept. of Education for Alternative Education $4,625,662 2005 $3,923,871 $633,100 $175,085 Dept. of Education for Alternative Education $4,732,056 Source: Oklahoma Arts Council, May 2, 2005

The Economic Impact of the Arts in the South | 97 ing the early years of this decade, and with the largest decline (-11 percent) the state was forced to make several occurring between fiscal years 2003 ECONOMIC IMPACT difficult budget choices as a result of and 2004. In the last two decades or so, the deteriorating fiscal environment. The Council’s second most there have been many studies con- A consequence of this weakening fis- important source of funding during ducted in Oklahoma on the economic cal situation was reductions in funds the review period was secured from impacts of the arts often covering the allocated from the Legislature to the the federal NEA. Optimistically, in a entire state and sometimes covering Council. As noted earlier, a dominant trend reflected in a number of other specific metropolitan areas, such as portion of the Council’s work involves SLC states, these federal funds in- Oklahoma County and Tulsa County. providing grants to a number of orga- creased from $492,000 in fiscal year The two most recent studies, released nizations to carry out different arts- 2001, to $584,100 in fiscal year 2003, in 2003 and 2004, respectively, were related projects, and the reduction in to $633,100 in fiscal year 2005. The entitled the Economic Impact of the Arts appropriation amounts was expected percentage increase between the two in Oklahoma and Economic Impact of the to impact negatively on these grants. bookend years of the review period Non-Profit Arts in Oklahoma County. However, as indicated by the Council, amounted to an impressive 28 percent. Economic Impact of the Arts in the appropriation cutbacks suffered in Except for between fiscal years 2003 fiscal years 2002, 2003 and 2004 did and 2004, when the percentage increase Oklahoma not result in the elimination of grant was negligible, the increase in fed- In December 2003, the Center categories but in the reduction of eral funds to the Council approached for Economic and Business Develop- grant amounts to these different orga- double digit growth rates in every other ment at State nizations. The Council also noted that year. Specifically, the Council secured University released a study announcing since the appropriation increases prior increases of 8 percent between both that economic activity from public to fiscal year 2001 all were allocated to fiscal years 2001 and 2002 and fiscal funding for the Oklahoma Arts Coun- the grants budget, the appropriation years 2004 and 2005; then, between fis- cil stimulated an average of $270.2 million a year throughout the state of decreases were pulled from the grants cal years 2002 and 2003, the Council’s 2 budgets too. increase was 10 percent. Oklahoma. In formulating the struc- More details on the different The final source of funds to the ture of this report, the study computed funding sources flowing into the Council during the review period in- the employment, output, income, tax Council’s coffers are presented in Ta- volved state funds, but these funds were and population impacts of the Coun- ble 22. Cumulatively, funds flowing to channeled to the Council by means of cil’s activities over a seven-year period, the Council experienced a -16 percent other state agencies: specifically, the 2003 through 2010. The results of decline between fiscal years 2001 and Department of Education and De- the study were strikingly important 2005, from $5.6 million to $4.7 mil- partment of Human Services. Given because they strictly represented the lion. Except for the final year in the the tightening budget situation at the economic impacts of the arts events review period, fiscal year 2005, total state level, funds from these agencies and non-profit organizations receiving funds received by the Council declined also dropped off, from $429,307 in fis- support from the Council; the study every year: from $5.6 million to $5.5 cal year 2001 to $175,085 in fiscal year notably did not include the economic million (by -2 percent) between fiscal 2005, a decrease of -59 percent. impacts of arts events and organiza- years 2001 and 2002; from $5.5 million Finally, in terms of the relative tions that did not receive funds from to $5.3 million (by -4 percent) between importance of these different funding the Council. Hence, it is very reason- fiscal years 2002 and 2003; from $5.3 sources to the Council, state legislative able to assume that if the full panoply million to $4.6 million (by -12 percent) appropriations continued their domi- of arts organizations throughout the between fiscal years 2003 and 2004; nance between fiscal years 2001 and state had been included in the study, and from $4.6 million to $4.7 million 2005. While this proportion remained the $270.2 million annual economic (a marginal increase of 2 percent) be- relatively unchanged (a slight decline impact would have been significantly tween fiscal years 2004 and 2005. from 84 percent of total funds in fiscal greater. In terms of the specific funding year 2001 to 83 percent in fiscal year As indicated previously, the re- sources, state appropriations, the larg- 2005), the relative importance of fed- port assessed the impact of the Coun- est source of funding for the Council eral funds increased at the expense of cil’s activities on five specific areas. In declined by -16 percent during the five- other funds. Between fiscal years 2001 order to grasp the full effect of these year review period, from $4.7 million and 2005, federal funds had increased economic impacts, further descriptions in fiscal year 2001, to $4.3 million in in importance from 9 percent of total of these specific areas remain relevant fiscal year 2003, to $3.9 million in fiscal funds to 13 percent; in contrast, other at this time. year 2005. Except for the final year of funds declined from 8 percent of total » Employment Impacts: For the the review period (between fiscal years funds to 4 percent during this five-year time horizon of 2003-2010, the 2004 and 2005), state appropriations period. arts events and organizations sup- to the Council declined in every year ported by the Council are estimated

98 | The Economic Impact of the Arts in the South The Economic Impact of the Arts in the South | 99 to have an employment impact of related to the Council’s spending » employment totaling 17 jobs at 4,519 jobs per year. While nearly is estimated to generate $6.5 mil- the Oklahoma Arts Council; two-thirds of these jobs are expect- lion with the NPV of this revenue » grants totaling $3.4 million dis- ed to be in the state’s service sector, source amounting to $42.1 million tributed by the Council which other sectors benefiting from the for the seven-year period. With benefited 1,087 arts events and impacts are the state’s trade (whole- respect to the specific state sales tax 416 non-profit and government sale and retail), construction and component, the report indicated organizations across the state; government. As expected, a bulk that it will amount to $3.7 million » operations budgets totaling of these jobs are in the Oklahoma per year, the remainder being remit- $107.2 million at non-profit arts City metropolitan area (2,515 jobs), ted to the counties and cities. Prop- organizations supported by the with the Tulsa metropolitan area erty tax revenues also are impacted Council; (827 jobs) commanding the next positively by the Council’s activities » employment (full-time) total- highest number of jobs. and the NPV for the 2003-2010 pe- ing 950 jobs at non-profit arts » Income Impacts: On the income riod is projected to be $3.5 million. organizations supported by the front, the events and organiza- » Population Impacts: This is a calcu- Council; tions supported by the Council’s lation of the potential impacts of » employment (part-time) total- activities are expected to impact the Council’s activities and refers ing 758 jobs at non-profit arts the state’s proprietor’s and labor to the number of people (5,184 by organizations supported by the income (total income) to the ex- 2010) that are estimated to remain Council; tent of a net present value (NPV) in Oklahoma because of the arts » volunteers totaling 29,964 at of $1.056 billion between the time activities related to the Council. non-profit arts events and- or period 2003 and 2010. Of this These are people estimated by the ganizations supported by the amount, a majority involves dispos- study that would have left the state Council; and able personal income ($840,008 if the arts events and organizations » visitors totaling 2.1 million to million) with the remainder split supported by the Council did not arts events supported by the between income taxes ($112,182 take place. Once again, a majority Council. million) and income adjustments* of those people live in the Okla- In closing, the report stressed that ($103,443 million). Once again, the homa City metropolitan area. beyond the $8.2 million in state taxes state’s largest metropolitan area, the » Output Impacts: As noted at the (income and sales), $270.2 million an- metropolitan area, outset, the $270.2 million per year nual economic impact and 4,519 jobs with a total income impact from generated by the arts events and or- generated by the Council’s activities 2003 to 2010, ranked the highest ganizations supported by the Coun- every year, the fact that the arts events with a NPV of $582.1 million. cil remains a sizeable amount of and activities sponsored by the Council The Tulsa metropolitan area’s total economic activity. In terms of the help the state improve its quality of life income impact ranks second with a NPV for the 2003-2010 time frame remains a strong incentive to continue NPV of $210.3 million. calculated by the study, this total funding these programs. During the » State Tax Impacts: Importantly, economic impact, which includes fiscal years 2001 through 2005 period, the economic activity generated by consumption, investment and gov- state legislative appropriations to the the activities of the Council leads ernment spending, net exports and Council averaged about $4.4 million to tax revenue at the state (income intermediate demands, leaps to $1.8 and, based on this investment, the and sales), county and city levels billion, once again a very impressive return to the state in terms of state (sales and property). Income taxes figure. Regionally, the economic tax revenues alone is nearly twice that received by the state from employ- impact amounts to $155.7 million amount ($8.2 million). ment supported by arts-related ac- per year and $1.010 billion NPV tivities initiated by the Council are over the 2003-2010 period for the Economic Impact of the Non-profit expected to average $4.5 million per Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Arts in Oklahoma County year between 2003 and 2010; the Alongside the statewide and major In May 2004, the Meinders NPV of this revenue source for the metropolitan area economic impacts School of Business Research and duration is estimated to equal $29.7 of the Council’s activities, the study Consulting Center at Oklahoma City million. Sales tax revenue flows to also highlighted a number of addi- University released a study that was both the state and counties and cit- tional features: commissioned by the Cultural Devel- ies. Annually, consumption activity opment Corporation of Central Okla- homa indicating that during 2003, arts *Income adjustments include dividends, rent, transfer payments, interest income and and cultural organizations attracted an net residential adjustments. The sum of disposable personal income, taxes and income estimated $486 million to Oklahoma adjustments equal proprietors’ and labor income. The sum of taxes and disposable County.3 While direct income to arts income equals personal income. and cultural organizations, including

98 | The Economic Impact of the Arts in the South The Economic Impact of the Arts in the South | 99 donations, paid admissions to cultural number of people volunteering their field, registrants explore economic events and expenditures made by out- time and services at arts-related events development strategies in cultural tour- of-county visitors, amounted to $158 declined from 11,000 in 1998 to 8,900 ism, discuss strategies in developing million during the review year, these in 2003. Interestingly, while the recent and promoting an authentic cultural organizations also attracted an addi- study found that fewer people volun- heritage experience to attract the cul- tional $34.1 million in grants, contribu- teered their time, they provided more tural tourist to their communities, and tions, in-kind donations, ticket sales, hours of service (182,000 hours vs. learn how to access funding and techni- subscriptions and memberships. 146,000 hours). cal assistance for cultural development The report noted that the total In closing, the report noted that and programming. The overarching economic impact created in the county not only are the economic impacts theme concerning this topic is the well rose to $486 million as a result of of the arts and cultural organiza- documented fact, stressed in chapter 4 the economic multiplier effect. For tions in Oklahoma County similar to of this report too, that cultural heritage instance, these arts and cultural organi- that of a major industry, “beyond the tourists on average are more affluent, zations spent $53 million to meet their numbers, it brings a quality of life to better educated, older, visit for longer operational expenses, an action that those already living here and offers and spend considerably more money added $1.1 million to state and local tax something to people looking possibly than regular tourists. Consequently, revenues. The report revealed that the to relocate.”4 there have been significant efforts de- organizations invested $95 million in voted by states and local governments capital projects, such as new buildings CULTURAL HERITAGE across the country to try and attract and equipment, a trend that resulted more and more of these tourists to in additional economic ripple effects TOURISM their jurisdictions. in the total economic impact. Finally, In a trend that is rapidly gaining In Oklahoma, during the fall of the study indicated that these cultural increasing popularity in many states, 2004, the city of Guymon sponsored organizations employed nearly 1,500 Oklahoma is developing its cultural a symposium to help western Okla- Oklahomans (both full-time and part- heritage tourism. On the arts and homa communities develop a tourism time), once again, a trend that leads to cultural front, this task is handled by profile focusing on regional cultural additional positive economic effects. the Council’s Cultural Development heritage. The interesting aspect of this In comparing the results of a Office, while the tourism aspects educational conference was the fact similar study that was carried out in are handled in cooperation with the that it was a multistate effort, involv- 1998, the 2003 study reported that, im- Oklahoma Division of Travel and ing Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas, and pressively, non-profit cultural organi- Tourism. Toward this end, the Coun- attendees identified the cultural assets zations in Oklahoma County produced cil provides cultural development and in their communities, established sub- 80 percent more economic impact in capacity building services to rural and stantive regional networks, developed 2003 compared to the previous study, underserved communities including marketing strategies for their tourism despite declines in funding and vol- helping arts organizations across the products, prepared for the cultural unteerism. The 1998 study revealed state identify and develop their own visitor and learned how communities that arts and cultural organizations in arts and cultural resources; identify are revitalized by actively celebrating the county had an economic impact of traditional artists; and form regional and sharing their cultural heritage. $260 million. On the negative side, the cultural networks. Complementing the classroom-style 2003 study noted that there was a de- One of the most important instruction were traditional artists and cline in the number of children served strategies deployed by the Council to craft demonstrators, performances, by arts education programs between stimulate interest and explore ways to and traditional foods offered as exam- the two review periods: in 1998, there expand cultural heritage tourism in- ples of the region’s cultural treasures. were 500,000 students served by spon- volves the Cultural Crossroads, a cultural sored programs and activities while in heritage tourism symposium that has BLOCKBUSTER 2003, the number declined to about been held every spring since 2003.5 368,000. Similarly, 125,000 students The Council, in partnership with a EXHIBITIONS were enrolled in arts education courses number of other local, state, regional, During the review period of this or learning activities in 2003, compared federal and national organizations, has report (fiscal years 2001 through 2005), with 196,000 in 1998. Another nega- continued to hold this conference an- the Council listed several major exhibi- tive index that surfaced in the 2003 nually to encourage and stimulate pub- tions that had been held in Oklahoma study involved a decline in volunteer- lic interest and participation in cultural City.6 The Council also listed several ism, a phenomenon that, once again, heritage tourism as a tool for economic exhibitions scheduled to be held in the reflected national trends. Given the development. immediate future that undoubtedly will pressures faced by households and During the educational sessions generate a great deal of interest and families as a result of the shrinking which include presentations by nation- economic impact. While this is not economy and fiscal hardships, the ally known experts in this burgeoning a comprehensive list of all the major

100 | The Economic Impact of the Arts in the South The Economic Impact of the Arts in the South | 101 exhibitions held across the state, it pressionist paintings to be seen outside Turner, Claude-Joseph Vernet, Thomas is indicative of the efforts initiated of Paris and offered visitors the unique Cole, and Frederic Edwin Church. by arts and cultural organizations in opportunity of seeing extraordinary Oklahoma to feature world-class art paintings previously not exhibited in Temples and Tombs: Treasures in the state. the region. Once again, funding to of Egyptian Art from The bring this exhibition to the Museum British Museum (September to Dale Chihuly: The Exhibition involved a number of sources, includ- November 2006) Dale Chihuly, long credited with ing the Oklahoma Arts Council. Ac- developing glass as an artistic medium The Oklahoma City Museum of cording to the Council, attendance at Art entered into a contract with the in the United States and considered the exhibition exceeded 50,000. the most renowned artist working in British Museum in London and as a glass worldwide, was the feature art- Artist as Narrator: 19th Century result of this partnership, there will be ist at an exhibition at the Oklahoma an exhibition of 85 magnificent objects Narrative Art in England and in fall 2006 spanning the full range of City Museum of Art between April France Exhibition Exploring and August 2002. His work is exhib- pharaonic history (Old Kingdom, Mid- ited throughout Europe, Australia and Storytelling through Art dle Kingdom, New Kingdom, and the Asia in public buildings, waterways and Conducted between September Late Period) into which ancient Egyp- museums. The exhibition was made and November 2005, this exhibition tian history is divided. Debuting at the possible through funding from the at the Oklahoma City Museum of Oklahoma City Museum of Art, it will Oklahoma Arts Council and an anony- Art explored the visual interpreta- feature both renowned masterpieces mous gift and included 18 groupings tions of prose, poetry, legends, and and little-known treasures that reflect of work and installations along with a myths through paintings, prints, and the richness and scope of one of the permanent installation for the Museum drawings, illustrating the close relation- foremost collections of Egyptian ships between the written, oral, and antiquities in the world. This exhibi- atrium: a tower 55 feet tall, the larg- th est of any Chihuly sculpture to date. visual arts in 19 century England and tion is expected to create a great deal According to the Council, more than France. of interest both within the state and regionally leading to positive economic 100,000 visitors attended the exhibi- Mexican Masters: Rivera, tion from all 50 states and 43 foreign flows. countries. Given the surging interest Orozco, and Siqueiros, Selections generated during the Chihuly exhibi- from the Museo de Arte Carrillo BUILDING BOOM tion, a decision was made to initiate a Gil According to the Council, there fundraising effort to collect $3 million While the Oklahoma City Mu- have been a number of new and reno- and purchase the items in the exhibi- seum of Art will be the only venue vated arts and cultural facilities in the tion. With the assistance of numerous for this exhibition (December 2005 Oklahoma City area that deserve men- corporate, foundations, private and through March 2006), it showcases the tion in this section. While these proj- other donors, a short while before masters of post-revolutionary Mexico ects relied on public and private dollars its June 30, 2004 deadline, the Okla- with selections made from the Carrillo for their completion, they contributed homa City Museum of Art ended a Gil Collection in Mexico City. The to the economic health and sustained 22-month campaign and completed exhibition introduces Oklahoma to the cultural and artistic life of the met- the purchase of the collection. In fact, the major Mexican artists of the 1930s ropolitan area. Among the facilities the Museum’s fundraising effort was so and 1940s, and their successors, with listed by the Council were the follow- successful that it even exceeded its $3 68 works by artists Diego Rivera, José ing establishments:

million campaign goal. Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro 7 Siqueiros, as well as related works by Civic Center Music Hall : th th Millet to Matisse: 19 and 20 Luis Nishizawa and Gunther Gerzso. With the alluring Meinders Hall Century French Paintings from of Mirrors and anchored by the 2,481- seat Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Kelvingrove Art Gallery in The STORM: Tempests and Romantic Visionaries, Images of Theatre, the Civic Center Music Hall Glasgow, Scotland is the focal point of performing arts Held at the Oklahoma City Storms in European and American in the state. In addition, the complex Museum of Art between September Art (April to August 2006) includes the Freede Little Theatre and December 2004, the exhibition Also at the Oklahoma City Muse- and Joel Levine Rehearsal Hall and represented one of the most impor- um of Art, this exhibition features the CitySpace, all providing forums for tant collections of French painting in manner in which artists have portrayed arts performances of varying audience Great Britain. While the Museum was turbulent and calm weather conditions sizes. A number of thriving cultural one of six U.S. museums to host the in marine and landscape paintings, organizations and arts groups call the exhibition, it included some of the best drawings, and prints and includes such Civic Center Music Hall home and per- French Impressionist and Post-Im- luminaries as Eugene Delacroix, J.M.W. form there throughout the year. The

100 | The Economic Impact of the Arts in the South The Economic Impact of the Arts in the South | 101 list of groups includes Ballet Okla- American Indian Cultural Center10 store, café, and the 252-seat Noble homa, Canterbury Choral Society, Ce- A $130 million project ($80 mil- Theatre. Furthermore, at its new facil- lebrity Attractions (touring Broadway lion required under phase I, which has ity, the Museum continues to host ap- shows), Black Liberated Arts Center been partially raised), the Center is ex- proximately 100,000 visitors annually, (BLAC), Lyric Theatre and Academy, pected to be unique in presenting the tripled its membership and increased Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Oklaho- history of Native American peoples its staff from eight people in 1994 to ma City Repertory Theatre, Oklahoma and their cultures in North America. over 60 at present. City Theatre Company and the Rose The decision to locate the Center in Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art12 State College Communication Center. Oklahoma was driven by the fact that The $23 million expansion, ac- The renovation of the Thelma the state is home to 67 tribes-commu- complished with all private funds, Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre was nities with roots and origins spanning led to the opening in January 2005 a $52.4 million project (completed in across the North American continent. of the newly expanded Fred Jones Jr. 2001) with public funds from the na- The Center is scheduled to open in the Museum of Art. The new facility has tionally recognized Metropolitan Area spring of 2009. Projects (MAPS).8 The MAPS was received critical acclaim not only for its a temporary dedicated sales tax ap- Oklahoma City Museum of Art11 spectacular architecture, a matrix of 10 proved by Oklahoma City voters in Earlier portions of this Oklahoma natural light-filled pavilions and several December 1993, and slated to expire in section made extensive references to intimate domestic-scale galleries, but July 1999, that allocated public funds the numerous blockbuster exhibitions for the remarkable additions to its col- to enhance the quality of life in the city. held at the Oklahoma City Museum of lection. This Renovating the historic Civic Center Art. Even though the origins of the facility’s collection of French Impres- Music Hall was one of nine visionary Museum go back almost a century to sionist paintings; works by American projects that included the SBC Brick- 1910, when its predecessor, the Okla- artists such as Edward Hopper, Stu- town Ballpark, Bricktown Canal, the homa Art League, sought “to foster a art Davis, Georgia O’Keeffe, Albert renovation and expansion of the Cox love and a taste for art and to establish Bierstadt, Thomas Moran, and John Business Services Convention Center, a permanent museum of art,” in recent Singleton Copley; Asian sculptures; Ford Center, River Project, Oklahoma decades, particularly in the last five American Indian and Southwestern Spirit Trolleys and improvements to art; 19th and 20th century photography; years or so, the Museum has continued th th the State fairgrounds and the Ronald J. to play an increasingly dominant role 16 through 19 century Greek and Norick Downtown Library. in the arts and cultural scene, not only Russian icons; Persian miniatures; and in Oklahoma but in the southwestern modern and contemporary works by 9 Oklahoma History Center United States. This recent resurgence Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Located on an 18-acre, 215,000- is linked directly to the success of a Robert Smithson, Dieter Roth, Barbara square foot property across the street $40 million ‘legacy campaign,’ includ- Hepworth, and Kiki Smith have trans- from the Oklahoma Capitol, the ing a $14.5 million grant from the formed the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Oklahoma History Center is a learning Donald W. Reynolds Foundation that Art to rate among the best university center that explores the state’s unique enabled the Museum to relocate to its collections, public or private, in the history of geology, transportation, new facility and open as the Oklahoma United States. commerce, culture, aviation, heritage City Museum of Art in the Donald W. and more. Considered an architec- Reynolds Visual Arts Center in March tural masterpiece almost a decade in 2002. The $22.5 million new structure the making, this $60 million project is a three-story, 110,000-square foot opened in November 2005 and was facility featuring 15 galleries, three edu- funded mostly with public funds. cation rooms, library/resource center,

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