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Who Builds Theatres and Why?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 September 2022

Alvin H. Reiss
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Extract

Whoever coined the expression “cultural explosion” to describe America's flirtation with the arts must have taken a decibel count first. For whether we are experiencing a true artistic renaissance, or, as the recent Twentieth Century Fund study suggests, merely witnessing a modest expansion of arts activity, one thing is certain—whatever is happening is not happening quietly.

When a community, an organization, or even a small group of individuals decides to build a new theatre or arts center, the announcements stream forth, press conferences are called, and words flow endlessly from mayors, civic leaders, businessmen, and occasionally from arts professionals. On December 11, 1966, for example, three lengthy articles about arts centers appeared in the New York Times.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Drama Review , Volume 12 , Issue 3: Architecture/Environment , Spring 1968 , pp. 75 - 92
Copyright
Copyright © The Drama Review 1968

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References

1 Performing Arts: The Economic Dilemma by William J. Baumol & William G. Bowen, The Twentieth Century Fund, November 1966.

2 “Alabama Arts Center is Woman's Goal,” “Malraux Pushes Cultural Centers,” “Arts Center Plan Dropped in Utah,” New York Times, December 11, 1966.

3 Interview with Howard Taubman—February 10, 1967.

4 Civic Centers—A Survey, prepared for the Civic Center Task Force, Association of Commerce, Decatur, 111., June 1966.

5 “Arts Center Plan Dropped in Utah,” New York Times, December 11, 1966.

6 Article on chamber of commerce arts building survey, Arts Management, Summer 1967.

7 Interview with Thomas DeGaetani—April 3, 1967.

8 “Cultural Building Boom Biggest in History,” Arts Management, Summer 1967.

9 Letter from Ward Leonard Electric Co. to salesmen, October 16, 1962.

10 Advertisement, Saturday Review, March 25, 1967 & The New Republic, April 1, 1967.

11 Questionnaire reply from F. M. VanGaasbeek, Welton Becket and Associates, April 10, 1967.

12 Report on the Fund-Raising Potential of the Atlanta Art Association. G. A. Brakeley & Co., March 1963.

13 Taubman interview.

14 Interview with James Nuckolls—January 4, 1967.

15 Interview with Ben Schlanger, April 7, 1967.

16 Interview with Charles R. McCallum-April 20, 1967.

17 Interview with Iris Siff and Nina Vance—April 21, 1967.

18 “Wednesday Review,” WNDT-TV, New York, October 5, 1966.

19 “Cronyn Says Acting Companies, Not Edifices, Need Financial Aid,” New York Times, June 25, 1966.

20 Alvin H. Reiss, “The Lincoln Center Syndrome,” Esquire, August 1966.

21 “Culture Center Asked in Detroit,” New York Times, April 22, 1965.

22 Letter from Edward F. Menerth, Jr., Executive Director, Fort Wayne Fine Arts Foundation, Inc., May 5, 1967.

23 Interview with Robert Moses—April 3, 1967.

24 Ibid.

25 Quoted and referred to in Memorandum to Commissioner Moses from William S. Lebwohl, December 7, 1964.

26 Moses interview.

27 Lebwohl memorandum (see note 25).

28 Moses interview.

29 Interview with Edgar Young—March 7, 1967.

30 Report from Commissioner Moses to Mayor F. H. LaGuardia, September 20, 1938.

31 Young interview.

32 Interview with Bradley G. Morrison—March 2, 1967.

33 “Urban Renewal Spurs Arts Building Activity,” Arts Management, April 1965.

34 Response to questionnaire from Mrs. Donald Leslie, Erie, Pa. Arts Council, July 1967.

35 Interview with Helene Trosky—May 25, 1967.

36 Ibid.

37 A Cultural Center for Columbus, report submitted by Henry R. Grotta to Cultural Affairs Committee, The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Columbus, Ohio, July 14, 1966.

38 Interview with Thomas Fichandler—May 19, 1967.

39 “Bond Issue for Culture Center Stirs Protest in San Francisco,” New York Times, October 24, 1965.

40 Ibid.

41 Questionnaire reply from Mack Seism, Managing Director, Mummers Theatre, Okla. City, Okla., May 1967.

42 Baumol and Bowen, The Economic Dilemma.

43 Schlanger Interview.

44 Interview with Roger Stevens—May 21, 1967.

45 Morison interview.