PORT TOWNSEND — Support of Centrum is not in the governor’s budget, but its executive director said the arts programs can survive without those funds.
“We can operate on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis without state support,” said John MacElwee, after addressing the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce on Monday.
“But we will still be seeking state funding for our educational programs.”
Centrum’s yearly budget is approximately $2.1 million, and support for its programs expire in June.
Gov. Chris Gregoire has fashioned a proposed budget to deal with a proposed $5 billion deficit over the next two years.
About half the items in the budget are untouchable by law, and Centrum is in the other half.
“We are not in the governor’s budget, and the Legislature is taking a hard line,” MacElwee said.
Centrum’s summer season, which MacElwee calls “a roller coaster ride,” includes Fiddle Tunes, the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference, Jazz Port Townsend and the largest acoustic blues festival in the nation, and can sustain with ticket sales and private donations.
This year, Centrum will sponsor several public events from which MacElwee expects to turn a profit.
Guitarist Leo Kottke will perform May 21 to kick off the season, MacElwee announced Monday.
The Seattle Symphony will perform June 17 in one of the final performances conducted by its longtime musical director, Gerard Schwarz.
The symphony’s performance will be unique, according to MacElwee, and will include Antonin Dvorak’s “New World Symphony,” Franz Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony” and a new work by American composer Philip Glass.
“This will be a big week for us,” MacElwee said.
“People who are traveling to Seattle to see the final performances with Gerard Schwarz will also come out to Port Townsend because it will be different.”
Tickets will probably go on sale in March, MacElwee said.
MacElwee said that Centrum has a substantial economic impact on Port Townsend, as its major events fill restaurants and sell out local lodging, “but our influence goes beyond selling Raisinets.”
“There is a direct relationship between Centrum and the Port Townsend economic community,” he said.
“But there is a bigger picture because people choose to live here, make investments in the community, contribute to local nonprofits because of what is offered in this community.”
MacElwee will enter his third year as Centrum’s director April 1.
“Centrum has been a true pioneer in the preservation of local arts and culture for the last 35 years,” he said.
“We may be in the upper-left-hand corner of the country, but Centrum is at the absolute center of American culture, and for that we can be really proud of ourselves.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
