Basile assures progress on arts center

The Center for the Performing Arts Interim CEO Frank Basile said it's making financial progress but will continue to need support from the city of Carmel.

Mayor James Brainard is asking the city council to put $1.62 million in the Support for the Arts Fund, which last fall was allotted $265,000. The funding increase would include $840,000 for the performing arts center.

The money would help the performing arts center cover its operating costs from the start of its fiscal year, July 1, through December. By that point the council will have approved an annual operating subsidy as part of the city's 2013 budget.

Last fall the center received $5.5 million from a city-affiliated entity, the Carmel City Center Community Development Corp. That money will take the center through its fiscal year ended June 30.

Basile said the arts center isn't failing but still trying to get its legs. Ideally, the venue would have opened with a $50 million endowment in place, but that wasn't the case, he said.

"The center is a start-up performing arts organization operating a $170 million city-owned facility with huge overhead costs," he said in prepared remarks. "It takes $2 Million just to open the doors for a year. Then we need to fulfill our mission of presenting diverse first class artists. It was never intended to operate without substantial support from the city, individual contributions, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants and naming gifts, all of which are contributed income."

Basile said progress is being made, and he expects the total support from city coffers will be less in 2013. He said subscription sales for the 2012-13 season are already at $1.1 million, and two weeks ago, the center landed a commitment of a $500,000 gift. The donor is not ready to be revealed, center spokesman John Hughey said.

The council voted to forward Brainard's request to the finance committee.