By Pepper Parr
November 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Art Gallery of Burlington is announcing innovative program after innovative program while the Performing Arts Centre continues with its ongoing production of musical chairs.
From the left, chair of the Burlington Theatre Board, Ilene Elkaim, former Executive Director Brenda Heatherington, former Executive Director Brian McCurdy and former Executive Director Suzanne Haines. McCurdy is back in as interim Executive Director.
The best executive director the place ever had is back in the saddle – Brian McCurdy gave the place stability and some of the best programs that have graced the stages.
He did more with the community than anyone else but home was in Kingston and that was one hell of a commute.
So McCurdy left and they brought in a woman from Richmond B. C.; that didn’t work out and she went through the revolving door.
Former Executive Director Suzanne Haines chatting up a theatre patron.
Shortly before Suzanne Haines lost the title of Executive Director, the best person the place ever had doing marketing and promotion decided she too wanted to move on. Hillary Saddler got the call to come back – quick and do what she and McCurdy had done so well in the past.
Don’t however look for anything in the way of news from either the Board of the theatre operation or from the people who run the place day to day.
Events are booked and the task now is to try once again to find just the right person to lead the operation.
Brian McCurdy listening as he is lauded during his first retirement party. He is back in as the interim Executive Director
They want to look into cloning Brian McCurdy and also to learn how to communicate with the people who put up the dollars to get the place built.
Good to read but who votes on the selection of the Board directors? …other Board directors or the members of the public and arts community who have paid a membership to vote at AGM?
I find nothing on BPAC’s website indicating that If I become a member that I would be eligible to vote. What it does offer a member are various packages for performances.
Clearer and more information is needed on the BPAC website. A google search and look at the sight does not readily identify a democratic election of Board Directors.
When I look at the members of the BPAC Board of Directors, I see, two city reps(one staff one city councillor), financial types, lawyers, professors of Psychiatry, logistic professionals, ED of business). What I don’t see are representatives of the performing arts. Perhaps it exists but I do not find a method for how these people become Board Directors? There is a membership but no mention of that membership democratically electing the board members. It seems to be a secret closed shop consisting of mostly mature, white men.
Editor’s note:
The not for profit corporation that is responsible for the running of the performing arts centre runs advertisements each year asking for nominations. There is nothing secret about that part of what they do.
I attended last night’s performance of the 5 Browns. This is a talented group of young adult siblings who, through their individual and collective skills, are popularizing classical music and having a blast doing it. They stayed after the performance and interacted with the audience. All in all a very entertaining and inspiring evening.
The theatre was at best one third full; 90% seniors. It should have been bustling with young musicians and piano students. It could easily have accommodated children and families who otherwise couldn’t afford to attend.
The entertainment lineup has something for everyone. The environment is superb.
The problem is less about throwing money at it and more about having the marketing skills to access the different communities that would enjoy partaking in the varied entertainment. While the deck chairs in management are being shuffled I have to wonder where the leadership and oversight of the board is. This is disgraceful.