In 1980, Juneau celebrated the 100th anniversary of gold and the founding of the city. With a bow to the past and a welcome to the future, Centennial Hall was built to mark the event.
To diversify and expand the Juneau economy, Centennial Hall was envisioned as a tool to attract tourists and large events, namely conventions. That goal required appropriate, specialized construction.
Just prior to the development of Centennial Hall, there was an expansion of Juneau-Douglas High School which exercised eminent domain on the only local venue dedicated to the arts. As a result, there was general understanding that after CH was built, an arts center would be constructed to incorporate the specialized nuances for that kind of facility. These would include, but not be limited to, sensitive acoustics, appropriate lighting, appropriate seating and more intimate spaces for smaller productions.
Since the construction of Centennial Hall, we have built a second swimming pool, Treadwell Arena, and a third library, (just to name a few), but no arts center. Though each of these projects has value and improves our quality of life, it may also be argued that arts programming contributes more to the bottom line in terms of the local economy.
In its 2014 publication prepared for the Southeast Conference, Rain Coast Data stated that the arts are a vital part of our economy. To quote, “(Artists) create products and perform services. They generate spending and attract audiences who in turn spend money at restaurants, hotels, and other local businesses. Artists impact education … attract young people to the region, and help retain those who are here.”
According to the data from 2013, Southeast artists, arts organizations and audiences spent $57.8 million across 1,830 arts events. Further, 2,340 of our neighbors enjoyed arts earnings — earnings spent on housing, food and clothing, and materials to create and present their art.
Whether in goods or services, the arts provide a sustainable, renewable and creative economy. They indeed attract and sustain newcomers to Juneau and the region.
During my service as mayor (2000-2003), I appointed a task force headed by Sybil Davis to consider possibilities for a Juneau Art and Culture Center (JACC). Serendipitously, two members of the National Guard dropped by to promote a partnership between the Guard and the University of Alaska Southeast. The result was the construction of the Charles Gamble Jr. and Donald Sperl Joint Use Facility at UAS, a development which left the old armory vacant and a possibility for interim use as a JACC.
In the meantime, serious consideration was being given to a new state museum, and I began to envision a “cultural campus” to showcase Juneau as Alaska’s capital city. It would include Centennial Hall, the Alaska State Museum, Tlingit and Haida Central Council’s Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall and the JACC at the old armory. The campus would be bookended by hotels, and could be connected to KTOO for statewide broadcasts to enhance our role as Alaska’s capital.
As it happened, my idea wasn’t completely new. A staff member brought forward an earlier strategic plan with a similar vision.
When Bruce Botelho became mayor in 2003, he appointed a commission to further develop the vision of the JACC and secured the armory as its home. The creative, can-do spirit of Nancy DeCherney and the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council has turned it into action central, bringing our community closer together, albeit in a woefully inadequate, and, some say unhealthy space.
Currently, energy at the JACC, APK, CH and the EPH is creating a dynamic partnership and synergy. Together, they are helping to promote and solidify Juneau as a nationally noteworthy cultural center, important destination and capital city. A credible, creative space for the JACC — as is imagined in the architectural designs for the New JACC — could be the jewel in the crown.
All of us have a vested interest, whether that interest springs from business, the arts, education or recreation. Our arts and cultural programs win awards, bring us recognition, encourage visitors to lengthen their stay, help us to express ourselves and give us stature as a cultural city worthy of being the capital.
Please join me to support the construction of the proposed new JACC, a building in which we may all take pride.
• Sally Smith is a former Juneau Mayor, a former Fairbanks legislator and is active in the arts as a performer, director and audience member.
