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Arts director reports growth at Ruby Amphitheater and Morgantown History Museum; city to assume Eastern Roller Mill stewardship
Summary
Vincent Kitsch, director of arts and cultural development, briefed council on museum growth, capital work at the MET, the Ruby Summer Concert Series attendance and sponsorships, a $75,000 estate gift for the MET and the city's impending stewardship of the Eastern Roller Mill with planned repairs and grants.
Morgantown — Vincent Kitsch, director of Arts and Cultural Development, told the City Council Committee of the Whole May 27 that the department has expanded programming and undertaken capital repairs across city cultural assets, including the MET theatre, the Morgantown History Museum and the Ruby Amphitheater at Hazelwood and McQueen Park.
Museum and artifacts: Kitsch said the Morgantown History Museum, with a newly hired museum manager, Jason Burns, has roughly 1,300 visitors so far this calendar year and has produced 13 special exhibitions and partnerships with more than 20 organizations. The city is preparing to assume operations of the Eastern Roller Mill, a National Register-listed site at the junction of Route 119 and Route 857. Kitsch said immediate repairs will focus on replacing the front deck, improving handicapped access and soffit repairs; the department anticipates using Society funds and grant funding to begin urgent fixes.
MET and capital investments: Kitsch outlined nearly $1 million in capital investment in the Metropolitan Theatre over the last five years — roof, carpet, seats, curtains, HVAC and, most recently, lighting controls — and said the department is working on the fly system repairs. He also noted a $75,000 unrestricted estate gift in honor of Nancy Love that will be applied to MET capital needs.
Ruby Amphitheater and Ruby Summer Concert Series: Kitsch said the Ruby Amphitheater averages more than 40,000 visitors a year across events and that the Ruby Summer Concert Series draws nationally touring headliners with regional opening acts. He said the series and amphitheater activities are funded largely by grants and outside sponsorships — over a half-million dollars in outside funding — and that the festival draws attendees from more than 20 states in at least one recent season. Kitsch described the park’s role in local tourism and vendor revenue, noting local food vendors sold roughly $150,000 in product last year at park events.
Grants and next steps: The department plans to apply for a Benedum grant for museum support and expects notification on state arts council funding in July. Kitsch said the department is pursuing funding and engineering work to make the Roller Mill safe and accessible and will coordinate with partners on interpretive programming.
Ending: Kitsch invited councilors to engage with staff on sponsorship opportunities and programming and said the department would report back to council as grant decisions and mill-transfer tasks move forward.
