BRIEF: Assets of Mutual Interest with the Issaquah School Board, Performing Arts Center at Issaquah High School

Submitted to help prepare for the special meeting with the Issaquah School Board, April 25, 2024 ‘Items of Mutual Interest’


This brief provides background on:



The challenge of space and creative constraints


As an Arts Commission, our role is to support and encourage visual and performing arts in and for the community. We are here to help advise the City Council on arts policy, programs, funding and placement of art. It is easy to see the need for the Arts Commission to advise on the funding and placement of a sculpture or a mural. I’d like you to consider the challenge of placement when it comes to the performing arts. 


Creative choices are made by conductors and directors in relation to space. The place for a performance defines the size and scope of the work that can be produced, the number of artists that can participate, and the number of seats that may be filled. 


The selection of a work to perform hinges on the quality and capacity of the space. Factors include the size of the performance area, acoustics, equipment such as mixing boards, microphones, speakers and lighting, and seats for an audience of arts enthusiasts. Capacity informs the economics, from the cost to produce and perform, to the price of the ticket, and the number of tickets that can be sold. These are all ‘creative constraints.’ 


Creative constraints impact participation and engagement


As an example, the Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra has more than 60 members. In order for the entire orchestra to practice together, they must secure a space to hold that many people, and all of the members’ music equipment. 


Due to space constraints, the Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra does not practice with a percussion section. They practice in a church located between the Community Center and the High School. The space does not have storage for drums and percussion equipment. It is time and cost prohibitive to move, set up, tune, and take down the percussion instruments for every practice. 


This is a creative constraint that requires compromise. To be able to play, the orchestra made the choice to reduce the size of their orchestra, cutting the percussion section from regular practice. To perform for the public, they hire professional percussionists to join them at the performance. 


These constraints limit their capacity to come together as a complete orchestra, and as a creative community. An orchestra works together to learn a piece of music, practicing timing, rhythm and cadence as they follow the lead of the conductor. But a key part of their team, and the sound, is missing. The conductor and the members of the orchestra do not experience the full impact of the piece until the public performance.


There is a perception that performance space is unavailable or out of reach in Issaquah


Performing arts groups including the Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Master Chorus Eastside (formerly Issaquah Choral), Issaquah Dance Theater, and The Original Black Dog Theater are all based in Issaquah. These groups have been creating and performing for decades. The problem is - they’re not performing regularly in Issaquah. 


Instead they perform in Sammamish, Renton, and Bellevue, at venues such as the Skyline High School Performing Arts Center in Sammamish (Issaquah School District), and the Renton High School IKEA Performing Arts Center (Renton School District).


These organizations need enough space to accommodate the large number of artists that make up an orchestra, a chorale, a theater cast or a dance group. (Issaquah Dance Theatre produces the Nutcracker annually at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. The venue has 410 seats, an orchestra pit and dressing rooms for up to 75 artists)


These groups also need enough seats to accommodate the hundreds of arts enthusiasts that attend their performances. Issaquah Philharmonic's average audience size is 350. 


Is there space to support these artists, and increase access to art in Issaquah?


The Performing Arts Center at Issaquah High School is an award winning project funded by an $84 million dollar bond for the complete reconstruction of the high school. 


The Performing Arts Center includes seats for an audience of 600, an orchestra pit that can hold up to 70 musicians, a fly system that allows for multiple backdrops, a set shop, greenroom with 6 makeup bays, sound equipment, rigging and lighting, and a 100-seat black box theater. This resource is larger than Village Theatre by over one hundred seats (Village Theatre lists ‘nearly 500 seats.’)

Issaquah High School Performing Arts Center

After the bond to rebuild the High School was funded in 2006, Butch Reifert, Principal with Mahlum Architects (designers of the Issaquah High School) published the article “Performing arts spaces gain sophistication, but schools must be flexible, share resources to keep down costs” in the Daily Journal of Commerce, September 20, 2007


“Even though the focus of the arts program may vary from school to school, virtually all require flexibility for use by a variety of groups, both from within the school and the community.


The proposed new Issaquah High School will feature a 600-seat performing arts center as well as a 100-seat black-box theater. It will be open onto a commons that will become, in effect, an expanded lobby. The theater will likely be used for community meetings as well as by local theater groups.


Looking ahead, we will probably see more sharing of community resources as schools expand and modernize. Such sharing can offset construction and operating costs, and it only makes sense to develop partnerships that benefit not only the school but the community.”


After the project was completed in 2012, Mahlum Architects described the vision and the intentional design choices made to create community accessible space in Issaquah via the rebuilding of the High School:


“The prominence of the performing arts center adjacent to the main entry, expresses the school’s commitment to community engagement. Along with performing arts, the gym and all of the schools public spaces occupy the east portion of the building; they are clearly delineated for visitors and accessed through the central commons that acts as a lobby to each. The Performing Arts Center contains a 600 seat main house and a stage with a partial fly loft. Equipped with technically sophisticated rigging and lighting, the theater will be an asset to the school and vibrant local performing arts community.”

Performing Arts Center at Upper Right


The architects and designers at Mahlum were correct in seeing the potential to increase access to the performing arts through community alignment and intentional design. The Renton High School / IKEA Performing Arts Center describes the alignment that underlies a successful activation:


In 1999, a unique partnership was formed by the Renton Community, Renton School District, City of Renton, and the Renton Community Foundation. The result was an example of private and public entities working together to make both tax and private dollars stretch in new and creative ways.


June 6, 2003 the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center opened its doors for the Gala Celebration for Donors. Since that date, countless events have been successfully enjoyed by Renton High School, the City of Renton, and the Renton Community. Arts organizations including the Rainier Symphony, the Renton City Concert Band, Ensemble Ballet Theatre, Evergreen City Ballet and others are calling the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center home.


Our goal is to provide a home for local artists, a touring venue for regional artists, and cultural programming for both the Renton School District and the community. Lecture series, concert series, and community performances have added value to our community since the opening of the doors in 2003.


Can we create alignment in Issaquah?


In 1999, the same year as the opening of the Renton High School theater, Issaquah’s city leaders acknowledged the importance of the community’s artistic, cultural, and historic resources as a part of the makeup of our City. They signaled this to the Community by choosing to include the Arts and Cultural Element as a part of Issaquah’s Comprehensive Plan. 


In 2006, the Community supported the Issaquah School District bond to fund the rebuilding of the high school and create a new performing arts center in Issaquah.


In 2023, the Arts Commission was asked to review and recommend revisions to the Art and Cultural Element to align with the Strategic Plan that guides our work in the arts. Our recommendations address challenges within the arts community, including creative constraints and access to space.


The Planning and Policy Commission reviewed the recommendations, and in 2024 City Council adopted the recommended policy changes. 


Increasing capacity through alignment of resources


Four policies in the Arts and Cultural Element link together to set the conditions to improve access to local places to create, perform and experience art. 


The key pieces:



We have in place:



We need: 




Enabling and encouraging public access will produce great value for our community. A first step in working together could be inviting the Issaquah Philharmonic to practice and perform at the High School. I know they are open and willing to collaborate. 


Sincerely, 


Rachel Wright, Issaquah Arts Commission Co-Chair


Attached:

Details from the Comprehensive Plan Art & Cultural Element and the Economic Development Action Plan



Community Members Seeking Alignment on the Performing Arts Center

People who would like to work towards alignment to open up the Performing Arts Center for public use


Issaquah Commissions, Boards & Organizations


Issaquah Arts Commission

Issaquah Economic Vitality Commission

Issaquah Arts

Issaquah Dance Theatre

Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra

Issaquah Suzuki Strings

Master Chorus Eastside

The Studio in Issaquah

Visit Issaquah


Individuals


Rachel Wright, Issaquah Arts Commission Co-Chair, Issaquah Arts Charter Member

Tracie Mahadeo, Issaquah Arts Commission Co-Chair

Bridget Agabra Goldstein, Issaquah Arts Commission

Tina Velazquez Hays, Issaquah Arts Commission

Kimberly Kapustein, Issaquah Arts Commission 

Cristina Craven, Issaquah Arts Commission 

Albert Wang, Issaquah Arts Commission 

Treasure Hinds, Issaquah Arts Commission

Eric Morgret, Issaquah Arts Commission

June Sekiguchi, Issaquah Arts Commission (past)

Leslie Moore Pflug, Issaquah Arts Commission (2014-2019), Issaquah Arts Charter Member

Chris Reichley, Economic Vitality Commission Chair

Ashwin Muthuvenkataraman, Economic Vitality Commission Vice Chair

Christy Garrard, Economic Vitality Commission, Visit Issaquah Executive Director, Issaquah Arts Charter Member

Thomas Brown, Economic Vitality Commission

Landon Halverson, Economic Vitality Commission

Jennifer Larson, Economic Vitality Commission

Kymberly Lee, Economic Vitality Commission

Nicoleta Mocanu, Economic Vitality Commission

Anuradha Tadepalli, Economic Vitality Commission

Kevin Price, Issaquah Development Commission, Dogtrot Architecture, Issaquah Arts Charter Member

Mel Morgan, Issaquah Development Commission

Richard Sanford, Issaquah Development Commission

Juliette Ripley-Dunkelberger, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra (2000-2017), Issaquah Arts Charter Member

Katie Bristow Myers, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra President, Flute

Judy Beate, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Violin I

Siobhan Dowell, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Violin I

Barbra Munisteri, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Violin I

Pamela Benson, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Violin II

Denise Larson, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Violin II

Maddie Larson, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Violin II

Esther Poirier, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Violin II

Wendy Yee, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Violin II

Noelle Hsia, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Viola

Janis Orrico, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Viola

Angela Page, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Viola

Gail Ratley, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Cello

Samantha Farrell, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Cello

Emily Krebill, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Cello

Nick Sidwell, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Bass

Terri Gustafson, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Flute

Laura Moody, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Flute

Vera Risdon, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Principal, Oboe

Meng Khan Seah, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Oboe

Jim Kipp, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Clarinet

Nick Kosuk, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Clarinet

Penny Bugni, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Bassoon

Janet Eary, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Bassoon

Doug Carlton, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, French Horn

Scott Hillier, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Trumpet

Rob Birkner, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Trombone

Lew Steves, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Trombone

Ken MacDicken, Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Trombone

Linda Gingrich, Master Chorus Eastside Artistic Director and Conductor

Nicole Cash, Master Chorus Eastside Member

Heidi Kayler, Master Chorus Eastside Member

Lisa Knopp, Master Chorus Eastside Member, Alto

Marian Jones, Master Chorus Eastside Member

Julie Eriksen, Master Chorus Eastside Member

Dwayne Eriksen, Master Chorus Eastside Supporter

Hailey Watters, Issaquah Dance Theatre, School Administrative Director, IDTPG Co Director & Choreographer, Ballet, Children's Program

Kevin Kaiser, Issaquah Dance Theatre, Artistic/Executive Director, Owner, Ballet, IDTPG Choreographer

Hayley Maddox, Issaquah Dance Theatre, Ballet, Children's Division, IDTPG Choreographer, Office Manager

Danielle Wilkins, Issaquah Dance Theatre, Ballet, Stage Manager, IDTPG Choreographer

Steven Oelrich, The Studio in Issaquah Owner & Founder

Kim Grosjean-Gockel, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Martha Daman, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Megan Adams, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Soyilla Gonzeles DuVall, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Teanna Kordel, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Ivonne Ward, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Serina Patel, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Mary Beth Haggerty-Shaw, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Lori Griffin Lee, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Amy J. Wambsganss, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Sarah Katherine lTalley Porter, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Monica Lee Yee, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Kirsten Sexton-Murrell, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

Tamara Marchuk-Farrell, The Studio in Issaquah, Dancer

John Parizek, Visit Issaquah Board Chair, GM Hilton Garden Inn

Marty Dawood, Visit Issaquah Board Vice Chair, GM Arena Sports

Lisa Shennum, Visit Issaquah Board Secretary, Director of Sales Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites

Melia Wilkinson, Visit Issaquah Board member, Advertising Account Manager, Premier Media Group

William Rossman, Visit Issaquah Board Treasurer, GM Marriott Springhill Suites

Bryan Plug, Issaquah Arts Charter Member

Greg Craven, Issaquah Arts Charter Member

Kim Blanchard, Issaquah Suzuki Strings, Cello faculty