Success and Failure… Allies in the fight for the arts at Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre
In most measurable ways I can understand and by most everyones else’s standards KEYANO THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE is a raging success in Fort McMurray Alberta. The arts as well in the last several years have taken a turn for the best with a new Arts Council, independent theatre companies sprouting up here and there and if you lived in Vancouver like I currently do you would be seeing many Keyano Theatre grads and Dancers associated with Generation Dance making a huge impact here and in other larger markets. They all got their start at Keyano Theatre and local schools and dance programs led by superstar teachers like Terri Mort at Westwood Community High School and Kim Hurley of GenDance fame…These folks aren’t just small town teachers and instructors they are big time success stories with impact all over the arts landscape in Alberta and Canada. Allan Roberts aint no slouch either…He’s been with the Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre since the 1980’s , and in 2009 (I may have this date wrong by a year or two one way or the other) he rescued the entire organization from ruin after bad management had led to the organization losing contact with itself and the community it served. Alan is a passionate guy with a very strong sense of fiscal management and he is completely dedicated to the task and the community he serves. He has delivered too! A significant rise in audience and community participation has taken place since Allan took over and he has made allies out of anyone related to the arts not only in Fort McMurray but all over the province and the country. The program at Keyano is robust, well attended, well supported and people in town value its presence and the services and opportunities it provides. So much support in fact that for several years now a major expansion was planned to provide even more space and opportunities for the arts. I know this because Ive had the great pleasure of working alongside Allan and many other great people in that facility just like Terri and Kim to name a couple…My FB page has been blowing up with great production memories this month and it has led me to writing this sideline observation of what I am seeing from the outside…
SO… Why in gods name is this amazing place which is now providing a home for Wood Buffalo Arts Council as well as Generation Dance (post flood) amongst others at risk of being shuttered and/or repurposed? The RMWB came to the rescue this year with a budget contribution just over $500K to support the $2 Million Dollar program Keyano College can no longer support on its own (They asked for 1.13 million). Surely a way can be found for the RMWB to continue its support of the theatre and its programs Surely there is a way. Perhaps a deal can be made with the Arts Council taking over the running of the facility wit Allan as their employee and the municipality continuing to support operations just like they do Macdonald Island to the tune of 17 million+ this year…Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre is a vital player in a community that needs the services they provide and every arts group in the community will suffer terrible consequences if a way is not found to ensure its stability and continued operation…
My two cents anyway:)
