[Baltimore Sun] Kevin Dayhoff: Carroll Arts Council enriches our quality of life
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It was 21 years ago, on April 4, 2003, when the Carroll Arts Center began operations at the newly renovated, adaptively reused Carroll Theatre at 91 W. Main St., Westminster.
A year earlier, on Feb. 11, groundbreaking ceremonies marked the beginning of the renovations to the historic theater. The Art Deco-style theater had opened on Nov. 25, 1937 — Thanksgiving Day — on land that had been purchased for $10.
After a year of study, the City of Westminster purchased the Carroll Theatre in June 2000 using $310,000 in Program Open Space funds allocated by the Carroll County commissioners.
The foresight and leadership of folks in 1999 such as Mayor Ken Yowan; council member Greg Pecoraro; council President Damian Halstad; Planning and Public Works Director Tom Beyard; arts council President Stacy Shaffer; and Gov. Parris Glendening made the complex project possible. By all measures, the innovative, adaptive re-use of the old theater has been a great success.
The groundbreaking ceremonies which marked the beginning of the renovations to the historic Carroll Theatre took place on Feb. 11, 2002. The Art Deco style Carroll Theatre at 91 West Main Street originally opened on Thanksgiving Day November 25, 1937. Westminster purchased the Carroll Theatre in 2000 and immediately began major renovations for the historic theatre to be repurposed as the Carroll County Arts Council. Westminster’s adaptive reuse of the former Carroll Theatre on W. Main St. in Westminster opened a new chapter in the history of the building. (Courtesy of the former Westminster Economic Development Administrator Stan Ruchlewicz)
In June 2000, Westminster immediately began planning major renovations to the historic theater. The overhaul opened a new chapter in the history of the building and added to Westminster’s and Carroll County’s reputation as arts and cultural destinations.
According to an article in the Baltimore Sun by Maria Blackburn on Feb. 12, 2002: “More than half the cost for the renovation, expected to take nine months, has been funded by Westminster and the arts council’s recent fund-raising campaign.”
The groundbreaking included, “about 70 guests, including state Sen. Larry E. Haines and Del. Nancy R. Stocksdale, Carroll Commissioners Donald I. Dell and Julia Walsh Gouge and Westminster Mayor Kevin E. Dayhoff were on hand to celebrate the [$1.3 million] renovation to the Art Deco theater, paid for with state, county and private funds.”
The arts council, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was founded in 1969. It has been recognized as one of the best and most active in the state. The arts center brings a substantial return on investment to Carroll County in the form of tax dollars and increased economic vibrancy. It is also a significant economic development incubator for the county.
On Jan. 10, 2006, then-Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich announced new funding for the arts. In his news release, he said: “The arts serve as both a growing economic engine and a vital part of our outstanding quality of life in Maryland.”
An arts center attracts economic development, business and industry. When a business considers expanding or locating in a particular locale, in addition to business metrics, it will investigate the arts, and the cultural depth of a community.
In addition, as the Maryland Citizens for the Arts has pointed out, the “arts make a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child.”
A group of moviegoers posed in front of the Carroll Theatre, 91 W. Main St. in Westminster, in 1941. The tag line for the movie, “The Little Foxes,” starring Bette Davis and Herbert Marshall, was “the film version of the stage hit of the ruthless beauty whose ambition spelt the doom of three men.” The Carroll Theatre opened on Thanksgiving Day 1937. (Historical Society of Carroll County collection, gift of John Byers.)
The latest arts education research shows a correlation between the arts and higher academic achievement, better critical thinking skills, and a positive work ethic. Arts education also has a measurable impact on youth at risk in deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems.
In addition to providing a training ground for future leaders and a wonderful community gathering place to showcase the talents of local artists, the arts council contributes to our community in more ways than meets the eye. The arts build a sense of community identity and pride and improve our quality of life by bringing people together for a shared experience.
Arts and cultural centers often become a social magnet that brings together many members of a community who may otherwise not have an opportunity to interact.
Arts and cultural programming provide quality of life values to a family-oriented community and serve as an incubator and creative outlet for our talented children.
The arts council provides a significant amount of programing and scholarships for children. In fiscal year 2024, the arts council will award $97,010 in grants and scholarships to small arts organizations, nonprofits, municipalities, individuals, and students.
Last fiscal year, the arts council’s total investment in free programming for children and families was $63,000. This includes free field trips to the arts center for Carroll County Public Schools, the Arc, and Target Community and Educational Services, and free in-school performances and visiting artists at CCPS Title I schools.
Unlike other industries, the arts leverage significant amounts of event-related spending by their audiences. The Maryland Department of Commerce estimates that arts attendees spend $31.47 per person, per event, beyond the cost of admission, on items such as meals, parking, and lodging.
In fiscal 2024 the arts council is on track to bring more than 46,000 visitors to Carroll County, resulting in an economic impact of nearly $1.5 million for the county.
A region is transformed by the power, quality and value of art – by the greater sense of vibrancy, optimism and sense of self-worth it gives a community.
In full disclosure, this writer has been involved with the Carroll County Arts Council since its inception in 1969. Portions of this discussion have been published in the past – but need to be repeated.
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