In case you have missed the continual dance of the Tampa Arts community, you have missed quite a show.
It started with Mayor Greco's vision of a building that was to be an art statement in itself - known as the Vinoly design. (After the designer that has a reputation for designing beautiful buildings, that tend to go way over budget) Unfortunately several things went wrong. The proposed cost to build was beyond the pocketbooks of the musuem supporters to build and to operate. And then, we elected a new mayor.
Mayor Iorio had a vision of a large riverfront park that could be open to all the people with festivals and large outdoor events. And in that vision, the idea of the riverfront Museum of Art did not really have a place. When she held the museum supporter's feet to the fire about the funds to build the Greco/Vinoly plan, the plan could not hold up to "fiscal responsibility."
She suggested a location in the beautiful old federal courthouse, but museum supporters did not like the idea (and frankly, it did not seem very doable)
Then with great fanfare a deal was made to put the museum in the popularly called beer can building (or Rivergate Tower) at the corner of Ashley and Kennedy. All seemed happy. UNTIL...
It seems that independent appraisers are not supporting the value of the deal made by the city. While the city can spend more than an appraisal if they select to, the issue of "fiscal responsibility" has to be raised to each elected official that would have to vote on such a motion.
So far the museum and the City has been silent on this new dilemma. We can't blame them.
The recent Art After Dark event shows that the museum can attract a diverse part of the Tampa community. But how much of their money should be spent on the Tampa Museum of Art ? Will the City Council be willing to spend more money for the museum that an appraisal supports ? What do you think ?
6 comments:
I'm sorry, but Tampa should get over it. It is not now and never will be a "City of the Arts". Leave the culture to St. Pete - they do it alot better. Tampa is a sports and beer drinking town.
Don't get me wrong - I support the arts - by actually PURCHASING orginal art by unknowns, and dabbling in painting myself, but I'm also a realist, and Tampa's deep pockets are not putting it together.
I AM AMAZED THAT A TOWN THE SIZE OF TAMPA LACKS THE CLASS AND COMMITTMENT TO SUPPORT A MUSEUM.
WE ARE NOT RED NECKS, BUT ARE CERTAINLY ACTING THE ROLE.
The museum should built (addition) on its current site. After reviewing of the matrix studies and being on site at least 24 times since mid last year there is so much more potential to use this site.
The museum needs to expand from it's location to Ashley St. (omg a bus stop could be here too..um what are buses?) and expand slightly north to Curtis Hixon. Basically using that land in front of the current museum that serves no purpose but to make you incredible hot.
Phase one: Current museum operates while demo of the frontage of the museum occurs.
Phase two: Built out occurs in front the museum, all art work and exhibits are easily moved or integrated. No need to go multiple stories with 10'x'10 pieces of artwork! Or worry about lack of proper docking areas! DUH!
Phase three: Fancy restaurant owner says.."Dude, this does not make sense! I am going move to the old museum location (waterside viewing area) while most of the museum exhibits are in the new addition. I now make $$$ and will kick Bern's ass!”
Phase 4: Wow Kiley Gardens (Trip Park) is restored. We now have modern shaded park with wi-fi and sculptures to the south of the museum that compliments the cube and tower. Now with an art park, our renovated museum is valued even more.. money is not wasted in forcing an art program to fit in a difficult building or kissing up to mega landowners and...look at Curtis Hixon! It is not that vast anymore! Part its land is actually being used by our museum...it’s no longer a huge green sauna in the summer!
Wake up Tampa..these are not difficult problems but opportunities!
I wanted to respond to the previous comment about TPA. I am generally sick and tired of whiny St. Pete dwellers bashing Tampa's art and cultural scene. What on earth makes them think Tampa is more blue collar and less sophisticated than St. Pete? Yes, St. Pete has better museums than TPA but the art community in my side of the bridge is very well alive and is just as brivant.
Please lay off the bitter bickering... and by the way, there is more culture and history in one square foot of Ybor City than all of downtown St. Pete.
I'm impressed with your site, very nice graphics!
»
Pressed by his non-exempt status but buoyed by the goodwill of tournament sponsors who already have offered more than 20 invites to one of the game's most popular players, Daly is recharged, healthy and motivated for 2007. golf resorts But as Daly approaches his 41st birthday, he's determined to respond to his latest year of turbulence with an updated chapter to a career that began with a stunning, storybook triumph at the 1991 PGA Championship. Because these events were not PGA events, the PGA and some in the media still call Tiger's a PGA win streak as if Tiger's play in non-PGA events didn't happen. Name it.
Post a Comment