The head of Allentown's Art Museum, who has been here four whole years now, wants to double the size and scope of the Museum. When I read that every R.B. Reilly Strata tenant would get a free membership, I had to smile. This town is certainly putting high hopes on these new tenants. Apparently, they're considered more cultured than the previous tenants, who were displaced by the construction.
I can appreciate an ambitious bureaucrat (not really), but this guy is really taking J.B.'s City Center Real Estate brochures to heart. I haven't seen them taken so literally since the Morning Call promotions. This museum director should consider that these tenants didn't support a book store or a steak house. If he had arrived in Allentown before the Arena, he would know that Hamilton Street hasn't been upgraded in either merchants or clientele; There is actually less of both now.
He wants to build a performance center as part of the enlarged museum. It would be better if Symphony Hall. one block over, got more use. He also wants to build artist residences. Will there be a wing for bloggers? Will it be outfitted for the needs of elderly bloggers? I think that I could use a grab bar in the shower.
photo credit:The Morning Call
Mike,
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head as usual. Instead of producing a sound and realistic plan for the future the new director drew up a dreamy wish list. He no doubt expects people to applaud his vision. Of course the Arts are for dreamers and those ready to live in economic isolation and deprivation for the sake of their work, but the public should not be required to support such fancy.
We both know/knew the Art world from the inside. There isn't a lot of money there, and frankly their isn't a lot of interest either from the general public. Liberal Arts are an after thoughts at our colleges and universities and it shows.
It seems like the only real thing to announce at this big reveal was the new logo and website.
ReplyDeleteThe freebie memberships for folks who are the "haves" in a sea of "have nots" is rather insulting, though, considering the museum's mission to "engage the community." I know the museum does a lot of work with the schools in Allentown and beyond, so that's cool, but the unintended consequence of this free membership for those in the JB Reilly cocoon is another smack in the face of people who came to Allentown without any NIZ incentive.
The public hasn't yet really utilized or digested the new addition stretching down to Linden Street. I understand that new directors are supposed to think of upgrades, but this revealseemed so transparent in that regard. Even the current Hudson Valley show was done here only a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteThe hope is that artists will draw yuppies with money to live there, as has happened in numerous gentrified NYC neighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteIt's not mentioned in the article but I'd expect some financial support for the museum from JB Reilly, who benefits from marketing free museum membership and an "arts district" together with his apartments.
Allentown is late to the party on this, and far behind Bethlehem, but it makes sense to try.
Bob,
ReplyDeleteNYC has always been the epicenter of America's Art world. And as such is a magnet for those sorts of people. Thanks to Wall Street and the Finance district there is the money there to support this sort of culture. Because we are so close to New York Allentown is never going to be an Art center. It will never attract and hold 1st class artists, they will choose instead to locate where the action is.If they do live here, and I know some who do, they won't bother holding shows here, not if they are seeking recognition or sales. They will go to Philadelphia and New York for that.
It is even doubtful that we can even be a regional arts center because we are right up against Bethlehem, miles from Easton, and an hours drive from Philly which is already the regional Arts center. Allentown would be best to promote itself as a good place to begin a start up due to this same geographic location which makes us very close to a lot of important places. We have great hospitals.Stop pounding a round peg into square hole.