A symposium on historic preservation and arts-related revitalization

This sounds like an interesting session, although I have no plans to be in Salinas, Kansas anytime soon. I think about this a lot because most of us want to see great old buildings preserved, and theaters and other arts venues maintained. And then afterwards, too often we read about the financial failure of these assets.

- Cultural resources planning in DC: In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king (blog entry)
- "The lights go dark at Catalyst Theater" about how the Catalyst Theater Company is closing down, having failed to make a go of it in the much bigger quarters of the Atlas Performing Arts Center, and how the Atlas itself is having some difficulties, and is refocusing towards more of a rental facility
- This is happening in Bethesda too, see "Bethesda Theatre To Try It as a Rental" from the Post

From the Salinas Journal:

Preservation is topic of symposium

McPHERSON -- In conjunction with the Kansas Arts Commission's September meeting in McPherson and Lindsborg, the commission will host a symposium, "Historic Preservation for the Arts: If you rebuild it, will they come?"

The symposium will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 in the Grand Ballroom of the McPherson Opera House, 221-223 S. Main.

Panelists are Mary Hemmings, executive director of Hutchinson's Historic Fox Theatre; John Holecek, executive director, McPherson Opera House Company; K. Vance Kelley, Treanor Architects; Dona Lancaster, executive director, Dodge City Area Arts Council; and Patrick Zollner, director of cultural resources, Kansas State Historical Society.

Seating is limited and reservations are required by Aug. 27. For information or reservations, call the Kansas Arts Commission, 1-866-433-0688 or e-mail kac@arts.ks.gov.