The Next Big Idea
Kim Patrick Bitz, Executive Director of the Atlanta Coalition of Performing Arts (disclosure: I’m a staff member there) put forward this idea as a piece of the puzzle to revitalize downtown:
Greetings,Here is one answer to the question of what is the next idea now that the NASCAR museum is out of the Atlanta picture, as discussed in the Tuesday, March 7 business section of the AJC.
I offer a suggestion that may not be the mega-attraction everyone is looking for but is a big idea all the same. It aligns perfectly with both Mayor Franklin’s leadership in enhancing quality of life, and the work being done on the City’s new Cultural Plan. It’s an idea I suggested to a dozen Atlanta leaders back in August 2002.
The soon-to-be vacant World of Coke should be turned into the Atlanta Center for the Arts… or perhaps Coca~Cola Center for the Arts. Considering the historical significance of the building to Coke, they may be interested in keeping their legacy attached to the facility.
The building would house several mid-size performance venues, which are desperately needed by the performing arts companies of Atlanta. (Our region is in fine shape with current and under construction large venues.) The lobbies would be showplaces for the visual arts. The ground floor would house a retail store featuring the artwork of Atlanta youth, like the Gallery 37 store in the heart of downtown Chicago. Parts of the building and perhaps the railroad depot too would be used for arts education.
The emphasis would be on, but not exclusive to new work. This facility might even be the home for Chris Manos’ dream of establishing the birthplace for new American musical theatre. That would be a program admired and envied around the nation, and Atlanta would become one of the premier centers for musical theatre in the world.
Converting the World of Coke to the Atlanta Center for the Arts would be significant and tangible evidence that the public and private sectors are ‘walking the walk’ in their recognition that arts & culture are a vital component of our region’s economy, and a vital thread in the social fabric of our community.
Can you think of a more perfect place to have such a center than right across the street from our state capitol and within blocks of hundreds of state and local officials? It would indeed be a powerful statement of the City of Atlanta’s renewed commitment to the arts. Before considering importing the art of Cirque du Soleil as an attraction, we should first showcase Atlanta’s arts. Why brand Atlanta with something other than our own large and richly diverse arts that reflect our community’s cultural soul.
Every night when I step out our office door to head home, I see the World of Coke a half-block away. In seconds, what I see is transformed into a vision of an arts center filled with applause for performances, and discussion on works of art in the lobby galleries and youth art store. Public art pieces fill the plaza outside. I see a showcase for the creative heart of Atlanta, in the heart of Atlanta. I hope you see it too.
Kind regards,
-kim
March 8th, 2006 at 6:07 pm
How likely do you think this is to happen? It sounds like a good idea, but that’s never a guarantee of anything.
March 8th, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Excellent idea.What will it take to get it done?
March 8th, 2006 at 6:13 pm
There’s no telling. From time to time, believe it or not, good ideas make it through Atlanta’s power regime. The unifying force is to attract activity to the downtown area, and this would be a great step toward that goal.
March 8th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
To get it done, encourage the mayor to form a task force composed of representatives from all levels of the arts community (not just the big players, much love to them). The arts center will ultimately come out of a collaboration between public and private entities, but it’s less likely to happen without grassroots support and participation in the process.
March 14th, 2006 at 10:31 pm
Seems to me like this would be better suited for the Fairlie Poplar district. They are just getting the focus crystalized in that area for this type of thing, it would seem almost counterproductive to build this so far away.
December 26th, 2006 at 11:25 pm
Great idea- but who will sponsor it??? Politically and monetarily?? I think it is a great idea but I have no talent or vision to see how it will happen. I’m glad you do.