City of Bloomington and Bloomington Area Arts Council Reach Agreement to Convey Waldron to City

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2010

For more information, contact:
Miah Michaelsen, Assistant Economic Development Director for the Arts, City of Bloomington, 349-3534
Jared Schlemmer, Assistant Deputy Mayor, City of Bloomington, 349-3406, [mailto:schlemmj@bloomington.in.gov]

Bloomington, IN - Mayor Mark Kruzan and the Bloomington Area Arts Council (BAAC) today announced that an agreement has been reached to convey the John Waldron Arts Center to the City of Bloomington as of March 31.

The Agreement calls for the City to purchase the assets within the building, which are directly related to the facility's operation as a community arts center. In turn, the BAAC will turn over the building to the City at the end of the month.

"By purchasing these assets, the City ensures a smooth transition for users and patrons of the facility," said Kruzan. "The agreement is an agreement in principle and contingent upon proper approvals by whatever entity has funding authority."

Kruzan said that the City is only an interim steward, and will immediately seek an owner, manager and tenants who will carry the mission forward. WFHB, currently a tenant in the building, will also remain.

"The BAAC led the community effort to establish the Waldron in the 1990s and has since taken excellent care of the facility," said Kruzan. "This agreement ensures that art lives on at the Waldron."

"It has been clear throughout our collaboration toward this agreement that the City and BAAC share the community's vision of the Waldron as a thriving community arts, cultural and educational center," said Jim Whitlach, BAAC board president. "In our vote last night, our board unanimously came to this resolution with the City."

A statement from Kruzan regarding the agreement can be found online at[http://bloomington.in.gov/waldron|http://bloomington.in.gov/waldron]. The agreement between the BAAC and City of Bloomington can be found on the right hand side of this page. For more information contact Miah Michaelsen, Assistant Economic Development Director for the Arts, at 349-3534. ###