Community bands together to support saving of John Waldron Arts Center

Evelyn Powers kept waiting for the protesters to come, but they never did.

More than 100 artists, performers and community members came out Tuesday in support of saving the John Waldron Arts Center and maintaining its use as a haven for the Bloomington arts community.

While the proposed solutions for funding and space management were varied, the resolve to keep the Waldron as an arts center dedicated to serving the community was unanimous. “It would be tragic if the Waldron were not to be sustained as an arts outlet,” Jerry Sousa said.

The Waldron Study Group, a mayoral-appointed advisory council, hosted the meeting to hear feedback from the community regarding the potential closure of the Waldron, which would happen if the BAAC does not raise $120,000 by March 1.

The group posed two questions: What are the appropriate uses of the Waldron, and based on community priorities, what opportunities are available for the Waldron building?

Speakers issued a variety of pleas, citing the importance of art in the community, its role in education, and even quoting research studies detailing how the arts positively impact human health.

City hall was filled with stories of the Waldron’s history – from its use as the old city hall building to the struggle by Powers and others to raise the money to transform it into an arts center.

“It was an abandoned building,” former BAAC executive director Frank Young said. “It was taken by the people of Bloomington to make it something other than a place for the wrecking ball.”

Instead, the BAAC constructed a place to perform, teach and showcase the work of local artists – a place the community is dedicated to protecting.

“It is something that blood and sweat is literally invested into,” Young said.

As individuals proposed sustainable options to keep the Waldron functioning, several individuals recommended the city create a line item to help fund the arts center.

“If the city values the arts in Bloomington as much as the people of Bloomington value the arts, our mayor and his city council should at least consider a line item as a subsidy toward the continued growth of the John Waldron Arts Center,” Powers said.

Other proposals included a tent-o-rama displaying art around the square, separate boards focused on building operation and finances, and an arts magnet school.

Support for the arts center did not just come from artists and those directly invested in the building.

Citizens stepped forward as well, sharing how the Waldron affects their lives and enriches the community as a whole.

“You’re making the appropriate use of the Waldron now,” WFHB board member Kirby Thompson said to the study group. “I hope you keep its appropriate use exactly as it has been.”

The speakers acknowledged the power of coming together as a united group of artists.
Through sharing their thoughts and stories, the artists and community members were able to form bonds and discuss viable ways to sustain the Waldron.

For Sousa, the brainstorming and proposals that took place should be what the BAAC does on a regular basis.

“With this will, with this unanimity ... this shouldn’t be too difficult,” Steve Johnson said. “Sort the relationships. Gather the participants. Find the money.”

Waldron Study Group Chair John West concluded the meeting and allowed each group member to make a brief statement and thank the members of the community.

“The amount of passion in this room ... it’s pretty awesome,” West said. “If I could bottle that passion and resell it, we’d make all the money we needed.”