By BARBARA B. COVELL/Yachats News
NEWPORT – Performing arts are back.
The number of people attending events at the Newport Performing Arts Center – after dwindling to nearly nothing during the pandemic – have rebounded strongly since 2021.
That’s clear from the numbers laid out during the annual meeting Sunday of the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, the umbrella organization for nine groups using the city-owned center in Newport, the performance hub of Lincoln County.
The OCCA also oversees its Visual Arts Center’s two arts groups, and nine staff members.
There was even a bit of profit, to boot, in 2023, center executive director Jason Holland told an audience of approximately 100 people.
At the height of the pandemic in 2021, performing arts center attendance dropped to a low of 2,000. That rebounded to 12,500 audience members in 2022 and last year nearly doubled to 22,584 with an average of 147 people per event.
The center’s 2023 income was $317,189 with net revenue of $38,732 after expenses.
Holland said the OCCA’s overall 2023 income was $848,395 with a surplus of $20,418 after expenses. Program and ticket sales accounted for 35 percent of revenues, followed by state funding at almost 27 percent and the city of Newport at 18 percent. Salaries and benefits accounted for 53.6 percent of expenses.
Using data from 2022, the economic and social impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry contributed a significant economic boost in Lincoln County, Holland said. Total organization and audience expenditures by arts groups were $50 million with patrons spending an average of $50.47 per person per event, not including ticket sales.
“Our patrons spend to support the arts,” Holland said.
In 2023, the PAC was also used for special events in collaboration with community programs such as Dia de los Muertos, the second annual “Bloom Newport” with several city departments as well as the Chamber of Commerce, the Legislature’s Ways & Means Committee “roadshow” and an Arts & Culture District kickoff for Newport.
There were sold out crowds at this year’s Oregon Coast Jazz Party which netted over $40,000 for the PAC, he said.
In 2023 there were two camps with 52 children attending and 18 scholarships awarded. A new “PAC Players” after-school program was started with an attendance of 23.
“We put a lot of effort into classes for youth,” said Holland.
Holland also reviewed the status of performing arts center projects and upgrades.
The city of Newport approved and installed new digital signs and an unplanned restroom flooding resulted in a partial demolition and restoration.
The center also has major remodeling projects underway. In November, work began on the general deconstruction of the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems. The anticipated completion date is in July.
Phase 1 work on the Black Box Theatre has begun and will include flooring and electrical upgrades, acoustical sound wall panels, and ceiling finishes designed to create a state-of-the-art experience.
Phase 2 of remodel also underway includes the dressing rooms/green room and backstage restroom area. These areas require general structural upgrades with individual all user dressing rooms that are ADA accessible. Individual all-user restrooms are being rebuilt to be ADA accessible, code compliant, and have additional upgrades. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of summer.
Coming up in 2024 at the PAC is the third annual “Bloom Newport” event on May 18, Shakespeare summer camp June 17-27, the summer theater camp July 15-26, and the 20th anniversary of the Oregon Coast Jazz Party on Oct. 4-6.
More shows and events will occur once the construction is completed.
OCCA’s Visual Arts Center
Holland said the OCCA’s Newport Visual Arts Center’s income was $225,162 in 2023 with a surplus of $23,646 after expenses.
Approximately 45 percent of revenue came from programs and art sales, and 34 percent from the city of Newport. Art center expenses were 59 percent salaries and benefits, 17 percent on artists and instructors, and 15 percent on programming.
There were 9,155 visitors in 2023, a 9 percent increase from 2022, said center director Chasse Davidson, viewing the work of 397 artists in 21 exhibits.
Community partnerships included the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area and BLM artist in residence and with Yakona Nature Preserve featuring nine classes and 165 students.
Davidson said workshops and classes had 276 adult attendees, 73 children in camps and after-school programs, and there were 151 participants in 13 workshops during the Newport Paper & Book Arts Festival.
The 2023 Nye Beach Banner Auction had 42 artists and 39 banners, including four banners to Newport sister city Mombetsu, Japan. Auction proceeds were $9,560.
The Oregon Coast Art Bus program received a grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust for interior upgrades to make it more versatile, it went to 22 community events and 861 youth and adults participated.
Holland introduced the OCCA board nominees for 2024 which included new members Jeremy Burke, Alex Llumiquinga and John Schreiber. Members then ratified Wayne Couto, Randy Madnick, Vo Newell and Asia Richardson as officers, making a total of 14 board members.
- Barbara B. Covell is a Waldport-based freelance writer who can be reached at bbcovell@mac.com