Theater-lovers cheer as metropolis vows to help West Valley Performing Arts Middle

WEST VALLEY CITY — After an abrupt announcement of the closure of West Valley Performing Arts Middle, residents celebrated because the West Valley Metropolis Council accepted a decision to assist subsidize the performing arts and switch management of the humanities program to an impartial nonprofit.

West Valley Metropolis introduced on Might 6 the middle would completely shut on the finish of the 2024 season “as a result of structural points and the excessive price of repairs” and stated it was “obligatory for the long-term stability of West Valley Arts.”

Since that call, dozens of group members, performers and theater lovers have rallied collectively to cease the closure. An activist group known as Maintain WV Performing was fashioned to discover a resolution to conserving the humanities alive within the metropolis.

On Thursday, the town stated on social media the Metropolis Council will think about a proposal to maintain the theater working after this 12 months by having present theater management depart metropolis authorities in January 2025 to run the theater independently as a brand new group.

“Quite a lot of work is important to make this occur, however all sides are keen to roll up their sleeves to see it via,” the town stated.

Maintain WV Performing stated in an announcement the West Valley Performing Arts Middle theater administration group proposed a “transformative partnership plan” to the town, “which guarantees to usher in a brand new period for the performing arts in the neighborhood and preserve the beloved theater open and working.”

West Valley Performing Arts Middle is at present run by the nonprofit group West Valley Arts, which is led by Metropolis Supervisor Ifo Pili. With the decision, West Valley Arts will likely be reorganized into an impartial 501(c)(3) group with new board members that will likely be introduced later.

The impartial group will likely be answerable for all operations, advertising and marketing, fundraising and monetary oversight of the performing arts middle.

Assembly attendees cheered and clapped after the decision was unanimously accepted Tuesday evening, making certain the way forward for the theater.

“This modification will enable for higher autonomy and adaptability in decision-making, making certain the group can adapt to the evolving wants of the humanities group,” Maintain WV Performing stated. The group stated it’s an “thrilling new chapter” for the middle and group.

The decision acknowledges the “priceless contribution” the middle has made to the humanities group and stated the town is dedicated to help West Valley Arts because it transitions to the community-based group that may function the middle.

Town will present a monetary subsidy to the middle through the transition via Dec. 31, 2025. The quantity the town will present as a subsidy was not listed within the decision.

“The Metropolis Council’s swift partnership with our group motion group and theater management demonstrates their dedication to the financial well being of West Valley Metropolis,” stated Kate Rufener, a founding member of Maintain WV Performing. “We’re grateful for his or her visionary alternative to make sure the survival and progress of this very important public program.”

Metropolis Councilman Lars Nordfelt stated through the assembly the decision would not restrict the town from subsidizing the humanities past 2025 if the council chooses to proceed supporting it additional. Metropolis Councilman Jake Fitisemanu emphasised the decision additionally would not prohibit the quantity of funds the town may give.

“It says we’re committing to work with this new group and assist help them,” Nordfelt stated.

Group help

Throughout public remark interval earlier than the decision was handed, a number of residents expressed their help for persevering with the humanities in West Valley Metropolis.

“Alongside different metropolis applications, (West Valley Arts) deserves consideration for serving the residents of West Valley Metropolis for world-class theater, training and outreach applications, reductions for residents, cross-generational enrichment, cross-cultural group constructing and a spot for communities to assemble and develop,” Brandon Rufener stated.

Rufener stated his household selected to return to West Valley Metropolis due to the variety of applications provided in recreation, theater and cultural celebration. He stated when Hale Centre Theatre left the town to maneuver to Sandy, “Hale left West Valley Metropolis a present.”

Rufener stated the Metropolis Council’s responsibility is to enhance the town.

“Is the town actually higher with no best-in-state performing arts program?” he requested. “I feel all of you, deep down, know that it isn’t.”

Longtime West Valley resident Mary Flitton stated the town deserves to have a theater.

“Our heritage beloved the humanities and knew how necessary it was to the folks of this valley,” she stated.

Performer Lauren Slagowski stated the humanities middle is a “supply of satisfaction” for a lot of within the metropolis and lots of outdoors the town who frequent the theater.