Q & A -- Art for education’s sake

Last week, after some heated discussion, the Newport Beach City

Council voted to decide at its next meeting whether it will support plans

for an arts and education center on open space behind the Newport Beach

Central Library.

The issue has been a divisive one because the 12 acres are among the

few remaining open spaces in the city. It has pitted members of the

city’s Arts Commission against members of the Parks, Beaches and

Recreation Commission and local environmentalists, including Stop

Polluting Our Newport.

Arts Commissioner Don Gregory has been leading the effort to get the

$12-million project built. He approached the council last week with a

proposal to survey residents to gauge their support of the plan. The

survey would be paid for by an anonymous donor.

Gregory sat down with Pilot City Editor S.J. Cahn to discuss the plan,

why he thinks Newport Beach needs the arts center, and how he thinks the

council will vote later this month.

Describe what you envision for the proposed arts and education

center?

There’s a central library that houses books and computers and helps a

lot of young people. I see a lot of them doing their homework there. And

the Central Library has been known as the place that is going to be the

center of cultural activity in Newport Beach over the next 10 years. And

it seemed logical to have an extension of that cultural center near the

Central Library. And that would be on the open space behind the library.

What the vision was is not to have a performance center. We want

classrooms where young people can work for the first time sculpting,

painting, with teachers who can mentor them. We want contemplative space

where people can sit and talk, maybe with sculptures, much like many

cities have.

We also wanted an auditorium that would alleviate the library’s

burden. They have a very small auditorium. The library facility just

doesn’t have the room. We want to build a 400-seat auditorium,

approximately, that has a little “fly space,” a little “wing space.”

Why does Newport Beach need an arts and education center?

I’ve answered that, in part, by saying there’s such a dearth of space

for students to learn and perform.

Secondly is that Newport Beach is talked about by Newport Beach

leaders as the shining light of Orange County. But it’s the only place I

know that doesn’t have an arts center, a place for arts education. I feel

that culture is the heart of any city. It helps develop that heart.

I don’t understand why the open-space advocates are so intent on

squashing this just so it can remain open space. There are many times

that we become the very thing we’re against. And I think the

environmentalists started by taking a look at the out-of-control growth

and said, “We’ve got to put a stop to this.” And they’ve become so

entrenched that they’ve become the establishment. And I think that’s just

as wrong as indiscriminate growth. They say they want balance, but that

isn’t true.

What did you hope to achieve with the proposed survey of Newport

Beach residents?

The vocal part of the opposition has around 20 to 25 people. I’m going

to be liberal and say 35. Then there are 70,000 people living in the

community, and I’ll guess that 48,000 vote.

By what criteria is there opposition? Because of 35 people? The seven

council people are supposed to represent the majority. That survey was

not supposed to be a public opinion poll. It was to find out if there was

meaningful support. It would be a meaningful cross-section to find out

what the public support is for an arts and education center on that open

space: Is it a good idea to have 3.5 acres for an arts and education

center? We want to be able to provide the needed parking for the library.

It would be an underground parking structure that you would never see.

People are very uninformed. We want an arts and education center and a

park.

Are there other places where a center could go? Where are they?

I can think of one other place. I know nothing of the terrain. I don’t

know what nightmares there would be. I believe the city owns it. It’s

called Bayview Terrace, at Jamboree and PCH. But that’s the only other

place. But, again, it isn’t as logical. We have plans for a walkway

bridge between the center and the library.

I don’t know any other place that wouldn’t be inaccessible. To put it

at the Port Theater is such a ridiculous idea. The problem is it’s a

theater. I’m not looking to replicate the Balboa Performing Arts Theater.

What about parking? We’re not looking to leave a blood bath, so we can

say it’s done.

There’s just no room at any school. We were approached by [Orange

Coast College officials] to find out if we could build a few more

classrooms if they would fund it. This has been echoed by the

Newport-Mesa School District, in general.

What would you say to the community and City Council to earn their

support for the center?

To the community, I’d say what I said above. We need this, our

children need it. We need to lead the way, not be delinquentand be the

only city without an arts and education center.

To the City Council -- please don’t listen to the loud voices of 25

people when there are tens of thousands of others. Don’t listen to the

special interests. Don’t be cowed by the few. The problem with this city

is that people who are against something are vocal. The ones who are for

it, aren’t.

If you gave me 40% of the voters who say, “Leave that site open

space,” you wouldn’t see Don Gregory doing anything there.

I think what the council should do is set parameters [for the survey]

based on [the opposition’s wishes].

The City Council appoints the Arts Commission to advise it on all

artistic matters. The Arts Commission has advised the council [that] an

arts and education center should be on land the city controls. They can’t

possibly be against the feasibility study. And as a result of that

recommendation, they should support the study, which doesn’t cost the

people any money.

How do you predict the council will vote later this month on the

issue?

I think they’re going to find four votes to retain the possibility

that this is going to be on that land. I think they will want a

feasibility study with agreed-on parameters. I think the process is going

to be long, which I don’t like.

But in the final analysis, I don’t think they will bow to the few,

special interests.

I don’t think Tuesday night was a setback. I’m tenacious. And when

something is noble . . . you have to have the courage of your

convictions.