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An effort by people in Clearwater County, Idaho to plan, finance and build a multipurpose
Clearwater Community Complex, Inc.

Performing/Visual Arts & Conference Center

A proposed element of the Clearwater Community Complex

Introduction | Statement of Need | Overview of Needs | Overview of Current Facilities

Performing Arts and Conference Center

Imagine you are a rural town. The economy used to be centered around logging. And then logging faltered and the town was faced with seeking new economic realities. What would you do? If you were in Winthrup, Washington; Leavenworth, Washington; Ashland, Oregon; Joseph, Oregon; Plummer, Idaho; or Tupac, Arizona you looked at performing and visual arts to revitalize the community. Each of these communities is now a center for arts and the perfect meeting place for conferences and art performances. With a center for arts there would be the necessary requirements for good restaurants, hotels, art galleries. This would encourage groups to view our area as a place to hold major conferences--we are the hub for federal, state, county, local governmental agencies and coming to Orofino for a meeting should be as natural or more so than going to Boise for meetings.

The idea is to think outside the box. Once outside, think of the possibilities and the economic realities. It is not inconceivable to think of tour busses, high school and college tours, senior citizens coming here as a destination spot rather than a pass through. Arts and conferences will keep them coming back for the other attractions our area has to offer.

Performing/Visual Arts & Conference Center

Performing Arts--Why????:

  • Would encourage interest in community civic theater/resumption of local troupe
  • Would serve as location for
    Community Concerts
    Orofino Regional Council on the Arts performances
    Orofino High school and junior high school productions
  • Provide for rehearsal/class space for dance classes, ensemble groups, bands, orchestras, solo performers, et c.

  • Could attract tourists and day travelers to attend local events/performances/festivals, et c. similar to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival, the theaters in Big Fork, Montana, the performances in Branson Missouri, and to a smaller extent, the types of music/arts festivals held in other communities such as Seattle (Bumbershoot) and Sandpoint (Summer under the Stars)

  • Would encourage film festivals or film fundraisers with inclusion of pull down screen
  • Could possibly be used for broadcast of 'away' games & events with purchase of satellite truck and 'in-house' projection capabilities

  • Closest theater/performing/visual arts centers are in Lewiston/Kooskia

  • The only locally available stages in Orofino are woefully inadequate
    • none have stadium seating which staggers chairs and slopes floors for an unobstructed view
    • none have good acoustics which amplifies and enriches sound
    • none have an adequate lighting system which enhances production
    • none are large enough to acommodate a dance company or orchestra

Visual Arts--Why????:

  • Revolving display areas for different local and regional artists would encourage appreciation of and interest in the visual arts including painting, sculpting, lithography, pottery, qulting, et c.

  • Specially designed classrooms with sinks to accommodate storage, sewing machines and a permanent array of arts/crafts supplies and equipment available for community classes or for use by boy/girl scouts, Clearwater Quilters, Clearwater Art Association and other groups

  • Attract Elderhostel® and other tour groups for art classes joined with art displays, area tours, performing arts, et c. Make Orofino a named destination spot for artistic endeavors

Conference Center--Why????:

  • Serve as a site for conferences, seminars, lectures, using stage and theatre to accommodate large groups

  • Classrooms for technology or youth center could be used as 'break out' rooms for smaller meetings

  • Serve as site for video classes (currently offered by LCSC and others) so college and high school classes could be received from other locations and broadcast in theater

  • Include video conferencing capabilities with inclusion of video equipment which can be obtained through a variety of grant opportunities (Cottonwood). Businesses could video conference with satellite locations or home offices; staff could take inservice training

  • Serve as site for lecturers & special programs

  • Currently Orofino does not have capabilities to host area/local/regional conferences. Theater could provide space for large meetings with stage podium, sound system, pull down screen for overheads or power point presentations.

"BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME..."

Performing/Visual Arts & Conference Center

Theater: What do we need????: Funny you should ask....

Based on information obtained from looking at floor plans, stage area, backstage areas, et c. from a number of theaters/arts centers in Idaho.

  • Seating for 250-350 + wheelchair spaces. Stadium seating with sloped floors and staggered seating. Balcony optional
  • Indoor box office close to theater entrance, facing outdoors for ticket sales
  • Suggested minimum/maximum square footage for stage about 1254 sq ft + side wings. Two stories high to accommodate taller sets
  • Backstage and offstage storage space for set designs, mobile sound equipment, mobile lights, costumes, props, et c.
  • Two private changing rooms right off stage (mirrors, light bars, counter, costume racks, lockable storage space, sinks) with non-public restrooms
  • Access to refreshment area for intermission
  • Sound and light equipment
  • Fly or curtain/backdrop system for several layers of curtains and painted set designs
  • Pull down screen back of stage for films/overheads, et c.
  • Access to public restrooms/common areas for audience members
  • Incorporate a sculpture garden (designed to climb on), fountains, outdoor bench seating with commons area for audience members to go to during intermission
  • Need to contact firms that specialize in theater design to clarify other needs & for design ideas. Sachs-Morgan

Visual Arts Center:

  • The above plus permanent wall and 3-D display cases and wall space in lobby of theater
  • Allocated area in indoor and outdoor commons area for sculptures and outdoor art
  • Adjacent classrooms for art classes supplied with necessary sinks and equipment for arts/crafts pursuits

Conference Center:

  • The above plus video conferencing equipment
  • Pull down screen in back/middle stage area
  • Access to breakout rooms (classrooms)
  • Click here to see the BSU Special Events Center.
  • Click here to see the Whitefish Theater

    Performing/Visual Arts & Conference Center

    Orofino, Idaho facilities currently available to the general public
    for meetings, classes, and performances.

    Theater/Stage-Future Description Fixed stadium seating for 250-300 people. Stage with side wings and access to 2 changing rooms with restrooms for performers. Backstage and offstage storage space for theater equipment. Sound and light equipment. Fly or curtain backdrop system. Pull down screen at back of stage for films/overheads. Access to indoor and outdoor commons area. Indoor box office close to theater entrance.
    Name or Location Condition-Stage, Acoustics Capacity Status-Opportunity for Public use
    Orofino Elementary School Stage front only. Walled off from lunch room/gymnasium. Used as fixed storage. Not applicable Stage not useable for theatrical performance.
    Orofino Junior High School Antiquated lighting and sound system. Stage too small. Acoustics very poor. Poor quality seating. Seating fixed, not staggered. Performers must use public restrooms. No private changing rooms for performers. Approximately 120 seats (old desks in rows). Available for public use when scheduling permits.
    Orofino High School Stage: 24' deep x 32' wide with 8' wing on each side. Stage too small for some ORCA performances. Antiquated lighting and sound system. Acoustics poor. Poor quality seating, not staggered. Performers must use public restrooms. No private changing rooms for performers. Approximately 440. Available for public use when scheduling permits.
    Rex Theater Stage: 15' to 20' deep, auditorium 35' x 20', 200sq ft. Seating: 160 seats ground floor, 50 balcony seats, 210 total. In use Thursday through Sunday.
    VFW Stage: Approx. 20' wide x 10' deep No permanent seating Generally available for use with $65 rental fee of room and stage only.
    National Guard Armory No permanent stage. Portable plywood stage must be constructed and deconstructed for each event. Max Occupancy 435. Generally available for use with $ rental fee.
    Art Gallery-Future Description Designated space for indoor and outdoor dimensional art. Reception area display cabinets for secure diplay of artworks. Permanent display cases and wall space for commuity art showings. Est. 1750 sq ft/entry-reception area.
    Name or Location Condition-Stage, Acoustics Capacity Status-Opportunity for Public use
    Clearwater Memorial Public Library Display space limited to one wall for flat artwork. No display case available. Limited Limited
    Flamingo Cafe & Gallery Some display space for displaying contest entries and art for sale. Limited Limited
    Arts & Crafts Classrooms/Meeting Rooms-Future Description Classroom to include sink, counter space, some secure storage space and electrical wiring to accomodate 25 students with approximately 9 sq ft each of workspace for activities like painting or sewing. Wall space should include space for dry erase boards and temporary display boards. Est. 500 sq ft space per classroom, 1 or 2 rooms.
    Name or Location Condition-Stage, Acoustics Capacity Status-Opportunity for Public use
    IGA Community Center Kitchen facilities in room. Seating for approx. 75 with tables and chairs. Est. 35 with working table space. No charge. Available for fund raising but not for-profit business.
    IOOF Meeting Hall Kitchen facilities in room. Estimate at least 20 with working table space. $10 charge.
    White Pine Building Kitchen facilities in room. Approx. 20-24 with working table space. No Charge.
    School District 171 Meeting Room Kitchen facilities in room. Approx. 20 with working table space. No charge.
    USDA Meeting Room Kitchen facilities in room. Approx. 20 with working table space. No charge.
    Clearwater Historical Museum Annex Kitchen facilities in room. Approx. 12 with working table space. $15 charge
    Helgeson Meeting Room Kitchen facilities in room. Approx. 15 with working table space. $25 charge
    Flamingo Cafe & Gallery Sink available. Approx. 10 with working table space. Nominal charge.
    Adult Learning Center Not suitable for art/craft classroom. Computers line walls. Approx. 4 with working table space. No charge.
    VFW Hall Kitchen facilities in ground floor room. Approx. 40-50 with working table space. $75 includes kitchen use. Two large rooms in building
    Local School Classrooms or Gyms Some sink facilities available. Approx. 20 with working table space in regular classrooms. More space available in gyms. Rooms more likely to be available at High School. Gyms available for rent at all schools.
    National Guard Armory Kitchen facilities available. Max occupancy 435. <8 hr. rental $50. Security for 4-hour rental is $30. Cleaning depostit $50.
    Ponderosa Meeting Room No kitchen or sink facilities. Capacity for meals-100. &75 charge if no meal served
    Senior Citizens Center Kitchen facilities available. Max occupancy 113. $45 charge with kitchen use. $25 cleaning deposti.
    Office space needs for arts information management estimated at 60 sq ft.  
    Local Building Code guidelines-per person
    Standing space, dance floor * 5 sq ft.
    Standing space, unfixed seating * 7 sq ft.    		 Assembly room with tables and chairs * 15 sq ft.
    Stages and platforms * 15 sq ft.
    Education/classroom area * 20 sq ft net.

    ©5/9/2002 sejwhite, Orofino, Idaho

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    Feel free to join in our planning sessions. General meetings are every other Tuesday at 6:00pm in the downstairs conference room at the Helgeson Hotel.

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    Clearwater Community Complex, Inc.
    P.O. Box 1756
    Orofino, ID 83544
    (208) 476-3158

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