With the proposed city purchase of the Chateau Theater, conversations about its future use have exploded! RACC started this discussion earlier this winter and here is a summary of the Spaces team work thus far:
Spaces Committee
Chateau Brainstorm Report
Prepared for the Spaces Committee by:
Stephen Troutman
March 18, 2014
Rochester Arts & Cultural Collaborative:
Aspirational Statement
Rochester Arts and Cultural Collaborative acronym is RACC.
• RACC was formed, as a grass roots effort, from a confluence of community initiatives and events.
• Our aspirational statement clarifies our vision of a unified arts and cultural community.
RACC Aspirational Statement:
"Rochester will be a vibrant, active, diverse, and inclusive arts and cultural community for all. Local artists and arts and cultural organizations will be supported by each other and the broader
community as a vital resource for the community's health and growth."
Rochester Arts and Cultural Collaborative: Spaces Committee
The RACC Spaces Committee is quite literally interested in all types of “spaces” for any arts, arts related, or cultural activity:
The focus on facilities includes:
• Art making, rehearsal, studio, practice, etc.
• Performance, exhibition, gallery, etc.
• Events, fundraisers, ceremonies, etc.
• Cultural gathering, celebration, sharing, etc.
• Office, meeting, administration, storage, etc.
The Spaces team is currently focused on:
• The Senior Center/Armory
• The Chateau Theater
• Performing Arts and More
• Spaces NOW
RACC Spaces Survey Results: Space Needs
Across all respondents over 40% stating a need for:
Meeting spaces
Performance spaces
Rehearsal spaces
Event/rental spaces
A commercial kitchen, a very specific need, was listed by 8% of the respondents
8% mentioned a storage space need, which was not in the survey options, but showed up in write-in comments.
Status: Chateau Building
The Chateau building is vacant
The DMCC Board members have made it clear:
- The Chateau as an important arts asset for Rochester.
The RACC Spaces Committee has already started a project:
- “to investigate and propose uses for the Chateau.”
The City of Rochester has declared their intention to buy the Chateau, with additional funding from the Mayo Clinic
Spaces Committee: Chateau Sub-Committee Brainstorm
The Spaces Committee solicited members to form a Chateau Sub-Committee.
The sub-committee was formed and a meeting held on February
20th, 2015. The purpose of this meeting was to:
• Brainstorm potential uses for the Chateau.
• Identify issues and concerns.
• Lead to developing a proposal for the Chateau.
• This meeting was scheduled and held long before any
announcements regarding the Chateau building.
• This early start was in accordance with the RACC’s goal to
be proactive in our approach.
Usage: Mixed use theater / gathering place
• Films - Independent and international films
• Music – individuals, bands, orchestras, chorales, etc.
• Performance – dance, poetry, etc.
• Theater – live plays
• Education – patient & adult enrichment
• Presentations – business & arts
• Events - Community and cultural
Usage: Commercial destination
• Snack bar / coffee shop
• Activate seating outside the theater
• Retail space
• Rochester unique merchandise
Usage: Information center
• Visitor kiosks
• Calendar of daily events
• Videos
• Visitor center
• Mayo visitor info
• Rochester visitor info
• Mayo museum (satellite)
• Changing displays
Our Concept: Always something going on
“Round-the-clock” programming ;
• Continuous activities all day long
• Rapid reconfiguration between events
• Modular infrastructure
Multi-use gathering place ;
• Information
• Entertainment from film to performance to education and more
• Food and shopping
Targeted at multiple audiences:
• Mayo patients
• Mayo employees
• Rochester residents
• Rochester visitors
Spaces Chateau Sub-Committee: Brainstorm Thinking Big!
Include the Chateau as part of a larger performing arts complex
Chateau as adjunct:
• Could operate as part of the larger complex
• or standalone
Performing Arts Center:
• Much larger footprint
• Performance hall
• State of the art acoustics
• Rehearsal rooms
• Practice rooms
• Admin spaces
Complex location ;
• On Wells Fargo site
• Or over the river
Spaces Chateau Sub-Committee: Chateau Partnership Ideas
Partnerships to be investigated:
Performing Arts (local)
• Theater
• Music
• Film
• Dance
Educational orgs
• UMR
• RCTC
• Mayo Clinic
• RSD
• etc.
Cultural groups
• Indigenous people
• Ethnic communities
Others seeking space
• McPhail
• Children’s Museum
• Veteran’s Museum
Business & Community
• RDA
• RAEDI
Spaces Chateau Sub-Committee: Chateau Issues to be Considered
Issues to be considered:
• Who will manage the Chateau?
• How will operations be funded?
• How will remodeling be funded?
• What about parking and accessibility?
One major concern, during the Brainstorm, “Who will buy and own the Chateau?” has been resolved. The recent announcements from the City of Rochester and the Mayo Clinic have eliminated this issue.
