Historically, many arts organizations have received public funds from the Legislature. HCT has been singled out and criticized for its recent legislative grant. It obtained a $135,000 appropriation, not $185,000 as has been reported. Other arts organizations received appropriations this legislative session, including two at the $1 million level and others at $60,000, $50,000 and $25,000 levels, respectively.
It has been reported that HCT obtained its appropriation through political connections. In fact, it followed appropriate and established procedures to obtain public funds, which will allow HCT to increase actor pay.
It has been stated that community theaters subsidized by taxpayers should benefit everyone, not a select few. HCT is very efficient with taxpayer public funds. It brings 415 live productions to 220,000 patrons annually. Measured by attendance, HCT is second only to the Utah Symphony and Opera Company.
If annual state funding (Utah Arts Council and separate legislative grants) is combined with Salt Lake County ZAP grants, HCT received $3.93 per patron in 2006. Other arts organizations receive per-patron public funding of from $12.06 to $7.65. Even with recent appropriations, HCT's per-patron public funding will only increase to $4.15 for 2007. Because of public funding, HCT is able to provide quality theater at prices many taxpayers would otherwise be unable to afford.
There has been significant media attention regarding HCT executive salaries. The executive committee of HCT's board of trustees scrutinizes compensation annually and takes into account unique skills, experience and responsibilities of each individual. Salaries from performing arts organizations around the country are considered. Additionally, that committee considers that HCT operates on a 12-month full production calendar. Other theaters operate on six- or nine-month calendars. By ignoring these facts and insinuating that HCT's board manipulates non-profit guidelines, recent articles are both irresponsible and themselves manipulative.
HCT executive salaries are not subsidized by taxpayer funds. That is prohibited under ZAP requirements that are carefully followed by HCT. Recent articles cited the salary of Sally Hale Rice. She died in 2006 - a fact insensitively omitted.
Issues raised regarding salary and ZAP funding are irrelevant. The ZAP funding formula allocates money based upon "qualified expenditures," which do not include salaries above $95,000 per person. HCT has always disclosed salaries in its application and ZAP funding has been adjusted accordingly.
Contrary to reports, no HCT executive has a controlling interest in Red Rock Leasing, which leases sets, props, costumes, equipment, furnishings and warehouse space to HCT at below-market rates. That lease arrangement has been carefully reviewed by HCT's executive committee and disclosed in yearly audited financial statements and each ZAP application.
Public funding for HCT is used exclusively to improve its product by increasing pay for cast and crew, and obtaining technical equipment, sets, scenes and costumes. It has helped make HCT one of the country's best community theater. It has furthered HCT's mission of providing a world-class venue for community actors, and high-quality, family-oriented productions at affordable prices.
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* KENT COLLINS is a member of the executive committee of Hale Centre Theatre's board of trustees.
There has been significant media attention regarding HCT executive salaries. The executive committee of HCT's board of trustees scrutinizes compensation annually and takes into account unique skills, experience and responsibilities of each individual. Salaries from performing arts organizations around the country are considered.
