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{{Notability|Companies|date=June 2014}}
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{{Infobox settlement
[[File:Flint Cultural Center.pdf|thumb|The campus of the Flint Cultural Center.]]
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name = Flint Cultural Center
| native_name =
| settlement_type = campus
| image_map = Flint Cultural Center.pdf
| map_alt = The campus of the Flint Cultural Center
| map_caption = The campus of the Flint Cultural Center
| nickname =
| coordinates =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = USA
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = [[Michigan]]
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name2 = [[Genesee, Michigan|Genesee]]
| subdivision_type3 = City
| subdivision_name3 = [[Flint, Michigan|Flint]]
| area_total_ha = 13.37
| website = {{URL|www.flintculturalcenter.com}}
}}
The '''Flint Cultural Center''' ('''FCC''') is a campus of cultural, scientific, and artistic institutes located in [[Flint, Michigan]], United States. The institutions located on the grounds of the FCC are the [[Flint Institute of Arts]], [[Flint Institute of Music]], [[Sloan Museum]],<ref name=fj/> [[Flint Public Library (Flint, Michigan)|Flint Public Library]], Buick Gallery & Research Center, Robert T. Longway Planetarium, [[The Whiting (auditorium)|The Whiting]], and the Bower Theatre. The campus and some institutions are owned by Flint Cultural Center Corporation.


The campus is 33 acres in size and is owned by the Flint Cultural Center Corporation.<ref name=fj0/> The Flint Public Library owns its own building.<ref name=fj1>{{cite news|last1=Ketchum III|first1=William E.|title=Flint Cultural Center Corp. seeks new leader after president and CEO resigns|url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/flint/index.ssf/2014/02/flint_cultural_center_corporat_2.html |access-date=May 16, 2018|publisher=MLive.com|date=February 27, 2014}}</ref>
The '''Flint Cultural Center''' is a campus of institutions located in [[Flint, Michigan]]. It is dedicated to promoting area residents with an array of cultural, scientific, and artistic experiences and promotes understanding of the diverse cultures reflected in the Greater Flint community.<ref>[http://www.flintculturalcenter.com/about_us.html Flinculturalcenter.com]</ref>


[[Flint Institute of Music]] (FIM) and Flint Institute of Arts are non-profits independent from the Flint Cultural Center Corporation, but lease their buildings from the cultural center.<ref name=fj0/> FIM consists of the Flint School of Performing Arts, Flint Symphony Orchestra<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fonger |first1=Ron |title=Flint Cultural Center gets $5 million-plus from Charles Stewart Mott Foundation |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2014/10/flint_cultural_center_gets_5_m.html |access-date=May 30, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=MLive.com |date=October 1, 2014}}</ref> and Flint Repertory Theatre.<ref name="ato"/>
Institutions located on the grounds of the FCC are Sloan Museum, Buick Gallery & Research Center, [[Flint Institute of Arts]], Robert T. Longway Planetarium, [[The Whiting (auditorium)|The Whiting]], Flint Youth Theatre, and [[Flint Institute of Music]].

==History==
===Development===
The [[Flint Community Schools|City of Flint School District]] in 1920 purchased the old Oak Grove sanitarium and 60 adjoining acres plus later added other private lots. In 1946, the College and Cultural Center campus was started by [[C.S. Mott]] after he learned of [[University of Michigan]] President [[Alexander Grant Ruthven]] indicated the possibility of forming university branches in other areas of Michigan. Mott pledged a match towards developing a four-year college if Flint city voters pass a $7-million bond issue, which they did. Plus Mott donated land, 32 acres in the early 1950s and additional 6.25 acres in 1955 for a new campus. The first building constructed in 1954 for the new college campus was Ballenger Field House. With UM talks dragging on, [[Mott Community College|Flint Community Junior College]] moved to the campus in 1955.<ref name=fj0>{{cite news|last1=Azizian|first1=Carol |title=Community supporters made Flint Cultural Center a reality |url=http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/business/index.ssf/2008/07/community_supporters_made_flin.html |access-date=May 16, 2018|work=Flint Journal|publisher=MLive Media Group|date=July 11, 2008}}</ref>

In the early 1950s, [[Flint Journal]] editor Michael A. Gorman felt that educational and cultural opportunities should be available to residents given its status as a factory town. Gorman was involved with an informal group that met at his home on Calumet to play cards and discussion Flint's future. This group was thus called the Calumet Club. The club changed into the Committee of Sponsors for the Flint College and Cultural Development. Leadership of the Committee was: executive director Robert T. Robison, president [[Robert T. Longway]], [[Buick]] vice president and assistant general manager from 1929–32, first vice president F.A. "Dutch" Bower, Buick's chief engineer from 1929–36 and executive committee chairman Gorman. Honorary chairman were Mott, GM president [[Harlow H. Curtice]] and retired (1929) Buick engineer Enos A. DeWaters.<ref name=fj0/>

The Flint Board of Education was chosen by the founders to oversee the cultural campus and its reserve funds. The reserve funds were raised to go towards annual operational and maintenance costs. However, these funds were insufficient to upgrade buildings or fund new programs.<ref name=fj0/>

The committee set a goal of $25 million for their initial fundraising goal. In honor of its 50-millionth car, [[General Motors]] contributed $3 million in starter funds. Starting in 1954, donation was open to the public but in $25,000 increments. 400 individuals and 100 corporations, businesses and organizations donated at this sponsor level with most giving over the minimum. The [[Charles Stewart Mott Foundation]] shifted its annual gift, started in 1928, from the Flint Institute of Arts to the Flint Cultural Center.<ref name=fj0/>

In 1958, Gorman died before the campus was finished. Cultural center buildings did start to open that year while the last of the original buildings finished in 1967 and were named after automotive pioneers.<ref name=fj0/>

===Operating===
In 1973, the Sloan Museum started hold its annual Sloan Auto Fair.<ref name=fj2>{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Zoe |title=Sloan Auto Fair moving to Crossroads Village |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/06/sloan_auto_fairs_new_location.html |access-date=June 15, 2018 |work=MLive.com |date=June 15, 2018}}</ref> The Committee of Sponsors continued fundraising until the 1990s, but did the bulk of their fundraising in its first ten years. The [[#Flint Cultural Center Corporation|Flint Cultural Center Corporation]] was established in 1992 after the Flint Board of Education and the Committee of Sponsors had done some strategic planning with community participation. At first, the corporation managed the grounds on behalf of the school district, under a lease management agreement, and was governing body for Longway Planetarium, Sloan Museum and Whiting Auditorium.<ref name=fj0/>

A major capital and endowment campaign to support the FCCC, the FIA and FIM was started in 1995 and raised over $33 million. While $7.1 million was used to renovate The Whiting, a project completed in 1999, the remained where placed into endowment funds.<ref name=fj0/> Longway and Bower were connect via a $2.65-million 2000 addition consisting of classroom and rehearsal space.<ref name=fj0/>

Beginning in 2010, the [[Charles Stewart Mott Foundation]] made annual grants over $3 million, of split between the Corporation and the two other private Cultural Center organizations.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mott Foundation Awards $3.25 Million to Flint Cultural Institutions|url=http://www.philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/mott-foundation-awards-3.25-million-to-flint-cultural-institutions|access-date=June 21, 2014|work=Philanthropy News Digest|publisher=Foundation Center|date=July 28, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mott Foundation Awards $3.6 Million to Flint's Cultural Center |url= http://www.philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/mott-foundation-awards-3.6-million-to-flint-s-cultural-center|access-date=June 21, 2014|work=Philanthropy News Digest|publisher=Foundation Center|date=September 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mott Foundation Awards Grants Totaling $3.8 Million to Flint Cultural Center Institutions |url=http://www.philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/mott-foundation-awards-grants-totaling-3.8-million-to-flint-cultural-center-institutions |access-date=June 21, 2014|work=Philanthropy News Digest|publisher=Foundation Center|date=August 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mott Foundation Awards $3.7 Million in Support of Flint Cultural Institutions|url= http://www.philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/mott-foundation-awards-3.7-million-in-support-of-flint-cultural-institutions |access-date=June 21, 2014|work=Philanthropy News Digest|publisher=Foundation Center}}</ref>

In September 2013, the FCCC purchased the Sarvis Center and Central Kitchen from the [[Flint Community Schools]] for $150,000 despite some community opposition thinking that the price was too low and there was no other bidders.<ref name="wnem">{{cite news|last1=Keller|first1=Andrew|title=Flint School Board agrees to sell Sarvis Center|url=http://www.wnem.com/story/23471624/flint-school-board-agrees-to-sell-sarvis-center|access-date=June 21, 2014|work=WNEM.com|publisher=Meredith Corporation|date=October 17, 2013}}</ref> For the 2018 Sloan Auto Fair, it was moved from the center campus to [[Genesee County, Michigan|Genesee County Parks]]' [[Crossroads Village (Michigan)|Crossroads Village]] and Huckleberry Railroad given issue with Flint Institute of Arts' expansion.<ref name=fj2/>

On May 14, 2018, the center corporation submitted a request to vacate parts of three public streets on the campus. This a preliminary move to make way for a possible arts and science focused charter school.<ref name=fj>{{cite news|last1=Fonger|first1=Ron|title=Flint Cultural Center street vacations could clear way for possible charter school|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/05/flint_cultural_center_streets.html|access-date=May 16, 2018|work=Flint Journal|publisher=MLive Media Group|date=May 16, 2018}}</ref> Grounding breaking on the K-8 charter school, Flint Cultural Center Academy, took place on June 26, 2018 with expectations that the school be open for the 2019-2020 school year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Zoe |title=New Flint Cultural Center school to serve 650 students |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2018/06/community_representatives_brea.html |access-date=June 5, 2019 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=Mlive Media Group |date=June 26, 2018}}</ref>

At the August 2018 primary election, Genesee County voters approved a 10-year arts millage that the bulk of the proceeds would go to Flint Cultural Center institutes. Additional Flint groups receiving fixed funding are Friends of Berston Fieldhouse and the New McCree Theatre.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Acosta |first1=Roberto |title=Genesee County arts millage on way to approval |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2018/08/arts_millage_genesee_county.html |access-date=June 5, 2019 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=Mlive Media Group |date=August 8, 2018}}</ref> The Greater Flint Arts Council grants out the remaining funds to other Genesee County art organizations through Share Art Genesee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keefer |first1=Winter |title=Genesee County arts millage yields $440,000 for local organizations |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2019/05/genesee-county-arts-millage-yields-440000-for-local-organizations.html |access-date=June 5, 2019 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=Mlive Media Group |date=May 21, 2019}}</ref>

The Flint Institute of Music's Flint Youth Theatre changed its name to Flint Repertory Theatre ("The Rep") on August 13, 2018 to become a regional theatre while Flint Youth Theatre would become a program of the Rep's education department.<ref name="ato">{{cite news |title=Flint Youth Theatre Will Become Flint Repertory Theatre |url=https://www.americantheatre.org/2018/08/13/flint-youth-theatre-will-become-flint-repertory-theatre/ |access-date=June 5, 2019 |work=American Theatre |publisher=Theatre Communications Group |date=August 13, 2018}}</ref>


== Flint Cultural Center Corporation ==
== Flint Cultural Center Corporation ==
{{Infobox company
| name = Flint Cultural Center Corporation
| logo =
| logo_caption =
| image =
| image_caption =
| former_name =
| former type =
| type = Nonprofit corporation
| traded_as =
| industry =
| genre = <!-- Only used with media and publishing companies -->
| fate =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| foundation = ({{Start date|1992}})<!-- |MM|DD -->
| founder =
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| location_city = [[Flint, Michigan]]
| location_country =
| locations = <!-- Number of locations, stores, offices, etc. -->
| area_served =
| key_people = {{ubl|Mark Sinila ([[chief operating officer|COO]])<ref name=fj/>|Todd Slisher |(Executive Director, Sloan-Longway)|Jarret M. Haynes|(Executive Director, The Whiting)}}
| products =
| brands =
| production =
| services =
| revenue = $6 million (2014 budget)<ref name=fj1/>
| operating_income =
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| num_employees = {{ubl|50 full-time|75-100 part-time|(2014)<ref name=fj1/>}}
| parent =
| divisions = {{ubl|Flint Cultural Center Academy|Sloan-Longway|The Whiting}}
| subsid =
| homepage = {{URL|fcccorp.org}}
| footnotes =
| intl =
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}}
Flint Cultural Center Corporation (FCCC) is a non-profit corporation that manages the Flint Cultural Center. The FCCC is responsible for all aspects of governance and operation of Longway Planetarium, Sloan Museum, and The Whiting.<ref name=fj/>


The Flint Cultural Center Corporation established in 1992 after the Flint Board of Education and the Committee of Sponsors had done some strategic planning with community participation. At first, the corporation managed the grounds on behalf of the school district, under a lease management agreement, and was governing body for Longway Planetarium, Sloan Museum and Whiting Auditorium.<ref name=fj0/>
The FCC is managed by the Flint Cultural Center Corporation, a non-profit organization established in 1992. The FCCC's mission is to "foster cultural activity and community vitality through history, science and the arts," with a vision to position the Flint Cultural Center as a "premier regional destination, educational resource, and entertainment venue."<ref>[http://fcccorp.org/Mission.asp Fcccorp.org]</ref>


The Flint City School district transferred in July 2003 the Flint Youth Theatre program to the FCCC. Except for the Flint Public Library and the Sarvis Center, the Cultural Center campus was deeded over to the corporation in October 2004. In 2005, former Citizens Bank president Howard Gay established a family foundation supporting the Flint Cultural Center Corporation.<ref name=fj0/>
The FCCC is responsible for the management and maintenance of the buildings and grounds of the cultural center campus, except for the Sarvis Conference Center and the Flint Public Library.<ref>[http://fcccorp.org/Roles.asp Fcccorp.org]</ref> At the same time, the FCCC has "entered into sub-lease agreements with the independent Flint Institute of Arts (FIA) and Flint Institute of Music (FIM), which allows each institution to manage and maintain its building."<ref>[http://fcccorp.org/Roles.asp Fcccorp.org]</ref> The FIA and FIM also pay a pro rata share of the general grounds keeping costs. The FCCC manages and maintains the remaining buildings and all campus common areas and fixtures, including parking lots, lawns, sidewalks, signs, lighting fixtures, seasonal décor, gardens, and interior roadways.<ref>[http://fcccorp.org/Roles.asp Fcccorp.org]</ref>


In September 2013, the FCCC purchased the Sarvis Center and Central Kitchen from the [[Flint Community Schools]] for $150,000 despite some community opposition thinking that the price was too low and there was no other bidders.<ref name="wnem"/> In 2018, the corporation started its public charter school, Flint Cultural Center Academy.<ref name=fj/>
The FCCC is responsible for all aspects of governance and operation of Longway Planetarium, Sloan Museum, and The Whiting. The FCCC also maintains a central administrative staff to provide additional leadership, support services, and other resources.<ref>[http://fcccorp.org/Roles.asp Fcccorp.org]</ref>


=== FCCC Board ===
===Sloan-Longway===
[[File:Flint July 2018 12 (Robert T. Longway Planetarium).jpg|thumb|left|Robert T. Longway Planetarium]]
[[File:Sloan Museum July 2018 01.jpg|thumb|left|Sloan Museum]]
'''Sloan-Longway''', stylized as '''Sloan*Longway''', is an operational division of the Flint Cultural Center Corporation. The division operates three venues Alfred P. Sloan Museum, Robert T. Longway Planetarium and Buick Automotive Gallery and Research Center.<ref name=fj1/> The Sloan Museum Automotive Collection consist of 100 vehicles some of which rotate between being on display at the Sloan Museum and the Buick Automotive Gallery.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Classic Vehicles at Flint's Buick Automotive Gallery Are En Route to a Temporary Offsite Home |url=http://thenewswheel.com/the-classic-vehicles-at-flints-buick-automotive-gallery-are-en-route-to-a-temporary-offsite-home/ |access-date=May 30, 2018 |work=The News Wheel |date=February 26, 2018}}</ref> In 2004, the Flint Cultural Center Corporation formed the Sloan-Longway division from the operation of Sloan Museum, Longway Planetarium and Buick Automotive Gallery.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kates |first1=Kristi |title=Cars, Stars, and History at Sloan*Longway |url=https://www.northernexpress.com/news/feature/cars-stars-and-history-at-sloanlongway/ |access-date=May 30, 2018 |work=Northern Express |date=October 7, 2017}}</ref>


On November 16 and 19, 2012, the Flint Journal donated and transferred its archive to the Sloan Museum. The papers' records were placed in the museum's Sloan Archives at the Buick Gallery building.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thorne |first1=Blake |title=MLive-Flint Journal donates archives to Sloan museum, historic records available for public view |url= http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/11/flint_journal_archives_move_to.html |access-date=May 24, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=MLive Media Group|date=November 20, 2012}}</ref> In 2010, fundraising began for a portable dome theater so that planetarium style presentations can be taken to local schools. By 2013, the Portable Dome Theater was purchased. Its first year (2013/2014 school year) of travel cost were partially covered by a grant from Community Foundation of Greater Flint's Flint Community Fund, Sarah E. Warner Endowment for the Arts Fund and Jean Simi Fund for the Arts to the Flint Classroom Support Fund.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aldridge |first1=Chris |title=Community Foundation $9,000 grant helps Longway Planetarium bring Portable Dome Theater to Flint schools |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2013/11/community_foundations_9000_gra.html |access-date=May 30, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=MLive Media Group |date=November 14, 2013}}</ref>
==== Executive Committee ====


===The Whiting===
Dr. D.J. Trela - ''Chair'',
[[File:TheWhiting,SPOTLIGHTS.JPG|thumbnail|right]]
Jeremy Piper - ''Vice-Chair'',
'''The Whiting''' is an operational division of the Flint Cultural Center Corporation that operates The Whiting auditorium and the downtown [[Capitol Theatre Building (Flint, Michigan)|Capitol Theatre]].
Robert S. Piper - ''Treasurer'',
Cheryl D. Gallon - ''Secretary''<ref>[http://fcccorp.org/Board.asp Fcccorp.org]</ref>
==== Board Members ====


In 1993-94, the corporation launched the Showcase Series at the Whiting Auditorium with five shows in the lineup. The Spotlight Series, formerly the Showcase Series, had 27 shows in 2008.<ref name=fj0/> A major capital and endowment campaign to support the FCCC allocated $7.1 million to renovate The Whiting, a project completed in 1999.<ref name=fj0/>
Betsy Aderholdt, Rick Carter, Daniel Coffield, Brad Fogleman, Amy Fugate, Steve Heddy, Thomas Henthorn, Lubna Bathish Jones, Antoinette Lockett, Elizabeth S. Murphy, Betty Ramsdell, Dr. Kimberly Roberson, April Scrimger, Dr. Ernestine Smith, Ridgway White<ref>[http://fcccorp.org/Board.asp Fcccorp.org]</ref>

In April 2015, the Uptown Reinvestment Corp. purchased the downtown Capitol Theatre from Troy Farah. Uptown Reinvestment announced on October 21, 2015 that they had partnered with The Whiting with Uptown restoring the theater and The Whiting managing its operations.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ketchum III|first1=William E.|title=Uptown, The Whiting partner for Capitol Theatre relaunch in downtown Flint|url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/flint/index.ssf/2015/10/uptown_the_whiting_partner_for.html|access-date=May 24, 2018|work=Flint Journal|publisher=MLive Media Group|date=October 21, 2015}}</ref> On December 7, 2017, the theater reopened.<ref>{{cite news|last1=May|first1=Jake|title=Tour Flint's newly-restored, historic Capitol Theatre|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2017/12/tour_flints_newly-restored_his.html|access-date=May 24, 2018|work=Flint Journal|publisher=MLive Media Group|date=December 7, 2017}}</ref>

==Buildings==
[[File:Flint July 2018 16 (Flint Public Library).jpg|thumb|Flint Public Library]]
:'''Original''' (constructed 1958-1967)<ref name=fj0/>
* F.A. Bower Theater
* Flint Institute of Arts, formerly Enos A. and Sarah DeWaters Art Center, renovated through the FIA organizational fundraising
* [[Josiah Dallas Dort|J. Dallas Dort]] Music Center
* Flint Cultural Center Academy (2019)
* [[Flint Public Library (Flint, Michigan)|Flint Public Library]]
* Robert T. Longway Planetarium is a building run by Sloan-Longway division of the Flint Cultural Center. The planetarium had an April 9, 1957 ground-breaking ceremony and was built for $600,000 with the interior geodesic dome designed by inventor/architect [[Buckminster Fuller]]. Its first public show was on June 29, 1958. From 1999-2000, an expansion and renovation connected it to Bower Theater. C.S. Mott Foundation was the primary funder of this project that added a lobby, a science classroom, Digistar II star projector, laser equipment and new seating.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Azizian|first1=Carol|title=Astronomical awe: Flint's Longway Planetarium celebrates 50 years of giving patrons the moon, stars|url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/flint/index.ssf/2008/05/astronomical_awe_flints_longwa.html|access-date=May 22, 2018|work=Flint Journal|publisher=MLive Media Group|date=May 7, 2008}}</ref>

* [[Alfred P. Sloan]] Museum: The building was the former president and chairman of the board of General Motors. The museum opened in November 1966 and temporarily closed in December 2018 for renovation and expansion.
[[File:The Whiting.jpg|thumb|The Whiting]]
* The Whiting, formerly [[James H. Whiting]] Auditorium, renovated 1997 to 1999

:'''Additional'''
* Buick Automotive Gallery and Research Center, closed after February 25, 2018 for facility repairs. Cars were moved to Courtland Center mall.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Acosta |first1=Roberto |title=Repairs at Buick Gallery moving classic vehicle display to Flint-area mall |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2018/02/repairs_at_buick_gallery_movin.html |access-date=May 28, 2019 |work=Flinrt Journal |publisher=Mlive Media Group |date=February 25, 2018}}</ref>
{{-}}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.flintculturalcenter.com/index.html Flint Cultural Center]
* {{url|www.flintculturalcenter.com|Flint Cultural Center}}
* {{url|fcccorp.org|Flint Cultural Center Corporation}}

* {{url|https://www.cfgf.org/cfgf/AboutUs/FFCCBoardofDirectors/tabid/661/Default.aspx|Foundation for the Flint Cultural Center}}
{{coord|43|1|24|N|83|40|44|W|type:landmark|display=title}}
* {{url|www.sloanlongway.org|Sloan-Longway}}
{{Flint, Michigan}}
{{coord|43|1|21|N|83|40|44|W|type:landmark_region:US-MI|display=title}}


[[Category:Buildings and structures in Flint, Michigan]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Flint, Michigan]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Flint, Michigan]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Flint, Michigan]]

Latest revision as of 09:46, 2 November 2023

Flint Cultural Center
campus
The campus of the Flint Cultural Center
The campus of the Flint Cultural Center
CountryUSA
StateMichigan
CountyGenesee
CityFlint
Area
 • Total
13.37 ha (33.04 acres)
Websitewww.flintculturalcenter.com

The Flint Cultural Center (FCC) is a campus of cultural, scientific, and artistic institutes located in Flint, Michigan, United States. The institutions located on the grounds of the FCC are the Flint Institute of Arts, Flint Institute of Music, Sloan Museum,[1] Flint Public Library, Buick Gallery & Research Center, Robert T. Longway Planetarium, The Whiting, and the Bower Theatre. The campus and some institutions are owned by Flint Cultural Center Corporation.

The campus is 33 acres in size and is owned by the Flint Cultural Center Corporation.[2] The Flint Public Library owns its own building.[3]

Flint Institute of Music (FIM) and Flint Institute of Arts are non-profits independent from the Flint Cultural Center Corporation, but lease their buildings from the cultural center.[2] FIM consists of the Flint School of Performing Arts, Flint Symphony Orchestra[4] and Flint Repertory Theatre.[5]

History

[edit]

Development

[edit]

The City of Flint School District in 1920 purchased the old Oak Grove sanitarium and 60 adjoining acres plus later added other private lots. In 1946, the College and Cultural Center campus was started by C.S. Mott after he learned of University of Michigan President Alexander Grant Ruthven indicated the possibility of forming university branches in other areas of Michigan. Mott pledged a match towards developing a four-year college if Flint city voters pass a $7-million bond issue, which they did. Plus Mott donated land, 32 acres in the early 1950s and additional 6.25 acres in 1955 for a new campus. The first building constructed in 1954 for the new college campus was Ballenger Field House. With UM talks dragging on, Flint Community Junior College moved to the campus in 1955.[2]

In the early 1950s, Flint Journal editor Michael A. Gorman felt that educational and cultural opportunities should be available to residents given its status as a factory town. Gorman was involved with an informal group that met at his home on Calumet to play cards and discussion Flint's future. This group was thus called the Calumet Club. The club changed into the Committee of Sponsors for the Flint College and Cultural Development. Leadership of the Committee was: executive director Robert T. Robison, president Robert T. Longway, Buick vice president and assistant general manager from 1929–32, first vice president F.A. "Dutch" Bower, Buick's chief engineer from 1929–36 and executive committee chairman Gorman. Honorary chairman were Mott, GM president Harlow H. Curtice and retired (1929) Buick engineer Enos A. DeWaters.[2]

The Flint Board of Education was chosen by the founders to oversee the cultural campus and its reserve funds. The reserve funds were raised to go towards annual operational and maintenance costs. However, these funds were insufficient to upgrade buildings or fund new programs.[2]

The committee set a goal of $25 million for their initial fundraising goal. In honor of its 50-millionth car, General Motors contributed $3 million in starter funds. Starting in 1954, donation was open to the public but in $25,000 increments. 400 individuals and 100 corporations, businesses and organizations donated at this sponsor level with most giving over the minimum. The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation shifted its annual gift, started in 1928, from the Flint Institute of Arts to the Flint Cultural Center.[2]

In 1958, Gorman died before the campus was finished. Cultural center buildings did start to open that year while the last of the original buildings finished in 1967 and were named after automotive pioneers.[2]

Operating

[edit]

In 1973, the Sloan Museum started hold its annual Sloan Auto Fair.[6] The Committee of Sponsors continued fundraising until the 1990s, but did the bulk of their fundraising in its first ten years. The Flint Cultural Center Corporation was established in 1992 after the Flint Board of Education and the Committee of Sponsors had done some strategic planning with community participation. At first, the corporation managed the grounds on behalf of the school district, under a lease management agreement, and was governing body for Longway Planetarium, Sloan Museum and Whiting Auditorium.[2]

A major capital and endowment campaign to support the FCCC, the FIA and FIM was started in 1995 and raised over $33 million. While $7.1 million was used to renovate The Whiting, a project completed in 1999, the remained where placed into endowment funds.[2] Longway and Bower were connect via a $2.65-million 2000 addition consisting of classroom and rehearsal space.[2]

Beginning in 2010, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation made annual grants over $3 million, of split between the Corporation and the two other private Cultural Center organizations.[7][8][9][10]

In September 2013, the FCCC purchased the Sarvis Center and Central Kitchen from the Flint Community Schools for $150,000 despite some community opposition thinking that the price was too low and there was no other bidders.[11] For the 2018 Sloan Auto Fair, it was moved from the center campus to Genesee County Parks' Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad given issue with Flint Institute of Arts' expansion.[6]

On May 14, 2018, the center corporation submitted a request to vacate parts of three public streets on the campus. This a preliminary move to make way for a possible arts and science focused charter school.[1] Grounding breaking on the K-8 charter school, Flint Cultural Center Academy, took place on June 26, 2018 with expectations that the school be open for the 2019-2020 school year.[12]

At the August 2018 primary election, Genesee County voters approved a 10-year arts millage that the bulk of the proceeds would go to Flint Cultural Center institutes. Additional Flint groups receiving fixed funding are Friends of Berston Fieldhouse and the New McCree Theatre.[13] The Greater Flint Arts Council grants out the remaining funds to other Genesee County art organizations through Share Art Genesee.[14]

The Flint Institute of Music's Flint Youth Theatre changed its name to Flint Repertory Theatre ("The Rep") on August 13, 2018 to become a regional theatre while Flint Youth Theatre would become a program of the Rep's education department.[5]

Flint Cultural Center Corporation

[edit]
Flint Cultural Center Corporation
Company typeNonprofit corporation
Founded(1992 (1992))
Headquarters
Flint, Michigan
Key people
  • Mark Sinila (COO)[1]
  • Todd Slisher
  • (Executive Director, Sloan-Longway)
  • Jarret M. Haynes
  • (Executive Director, The Whiting)
Revenue$6 million (2014 budget)[3]
Number of employees
  • 50 full-time
  • 75-100 part-time
  • (2014)[3]
Divisions
  • Flint Cultural Center Academy
  • Sloan-Longway
  • The Whiting
Websitefcccorp.org

Flint Cultural Center Corporation (FCCC) is a non-profit corporation that manages the Flint Cultural Center. The FCCC is responsible for all aspects of governance and operation of Longway Planetarium, Sloan Museum, and The Whiting.[1]

The Flint Cultural Center Corporation established in 1992 after the Flint Board of Education and the Committee of Sponsors had done some strategic planning with community participation. At first, the corporation managed the grounds on behalf of the school district, under a lease management agreement, and was governing body for Longway Planetarium, Sloan Museum and Whiting Auditorium.[2]

The Flint City School district transferred in July 2003 the Flint Youth Theatre program to the FCCC. Except for the Flint Public Library and the Sarvis Center, the Cultural Center campus was deeded over to the corporation in October 2004. In 2005, former Citizens Bank president Howard Gay established a family foundation supporting the Flint Cultural Center Corporation.[2]

In September 2013, the FCCC purchased the Sarvis Center and Central Kitchen from the Flint Community Schools for $150,000 despite some community opposition thinking that the price was too low and there was no other bidders.[11] In 2018, the corporation started its public charter school, Flint Cultural Center Academy.[1]

Sloan-Longway

[edit]
Robert T. Longway Planetarium
Sloan Museum

Sloan-Longway, stylized as Sloan*Longway, is an operational division of the Flint Cultural Center Corporation. The division operates three venues Alfred P. Sloan Museum, Robert T. Longway Planetarium and Buick Automotive Gallery and Research Center.[3] The Sloan Museum Automotive Collection consist of 100 vehicles some of which rotate between being on display at the Sloan Museum and the Buick Automotive Gallery.[15] In 2004, the Flint Cultural Center Corporation formed the Sloan-Longway division from the operation of Sloan Museum, Longway Planetarium and Buick Automotive Gallery.[16]

On November 16 and 19, 2012, the Flint Journal donated and transferred its archive to the Sloan Museum. The papers' records were placed in the museum's Sloan Archives at the Buick Gallery building.[17] In 2010, fundraising began for a portable dome theater so that planetarium style presentations can be taken to local schools. By 2013, the Portable Dome Theater was purchased. Its first year (2013/2014 school year) of travel cost were partially covered by a grant from Community Foundation of Greater Flint's Flint Community Fund, Sarah E. Warner Endowment for the Arts Fund and Jean Simi Fund for the Arts to the Flint Classroom Support Fund.[18]

The Whiting

[edit]

The Whiting is an operational division of the Flint Cultural Center Corporation that operates The Whiting auditorium and the downtown Capitol Theatre.

In 1993-94, the corporation launched the Showcase Series at the Whiting Auditorium with five shows in the lineup. The Spotlight Series, formerly the Showcase Series, had 27 shows in 2008.[2] A major capital and endowment campaign to support the FCCC allocated $7.1 million to renovate The Whiting, a project completed in 1999.[2]

In April 2015, the Uptown Reinvestment Corp. purchased the downtown Capitol Theatre from Troy Farah. Uptown Reinvestment announced on October 21, 2015 that they had partnered with The Whiting with Uptown restoring the theater and The Whiting managing its operations.[19] On December 7, 2017, the theater reopened.[20]

Buildings

[edit]
Flint Public Library
Original (constructed 1958-1967)[2]
  • F.A. Bower Theater
  • Flint Institute of Arts, formerly Enos A. and Sarah DeWaters Art Center, renovated through the FIA organizational fundraising
  • J. Dallas Dort Music Center
  • Flint Cultural Center Academy (2019)
  • Flint Public Library
  • Robert T. Longway Planetarium is a building run by Sloan-Longway division of the Flint Cultural Center. The planetarium had an April 9, 1957 ground-breaking ceremony and was built for $600,000 with the interior geodesic dome designed by inventor/architect Buckminster Fuller. Its first public show was on June 29, 1958. From 1999-2000, an expansion and renovation connected it to Bower Theater. C.S. Mott Foundation was the primary funder of this project that added a lobby, a science classroom, Digistar II star projector, laser equipment and new seating.[21]
  • Alfred P. Sloan Museum: The building was the former president and chairman of the board of General Motors. The museum opened in November 1966 and temporarily closed in December 2018 for renovation and expansion.
The Whiting
Additional
  • Buick Automotive Gallery and Research Center, closed after February 25, 2018 for facility repairs. Cars were moved to Courtland Center mall.[22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Fonger, Ron (May 16, 2018). "Flint Cultural Center street vacations could clear way for possible charter school". Flint Journal. MLive Media Group. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Azizian, Carol (July 11, 2008). "Community supporters made Flint Cultural Center a reality". Flint Journal. MLive Media Group. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d Ketchum III, William E. (February 27, 2014). "Flint Cultural Center Corp. seeks new leader after president and CEO resigns". MLive.com. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  4. ^ Fonger, Ron (October 1, 2014). "Flint Cultural Center gets $5 million-plus from Charles Stewart Mott Foundation". Flint Journal. MLive.com. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Flint Youth Theatre Will Become Flint Repertory Theatre". American Theatre. Theatre Communications Group. August 13, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Jackson, Zoe (June 15, 2018). "Sloan Auto Fair moving to Crossroads Village". MLive.com. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  7. ^ "Mott Foundation Awards $3.25 Million to Flint Cultural Institutions". Philanthropy News Digest. Foundation Center. July 28, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  8. ^ "Mott Foundation Awards $3.6 Million to Flint's Cultural Center". Philanthropy News Digest. Foundation Center. September 29, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  9. ^ "Mott Foundation Awards Grants Totaling $3.8 Million to Flint Cultural Center Institutions". Philanthropy News Digest. Foundation Center. August 3, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  10. ^ "Mott Foundation Awards $3.7 Million in Support of Flint Cultural Institutions". Philanthropy News Digest. Foundation Center. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  11. ^ a b Keller, Andrew (October 17, 2013). "Flint School Board agrees to sell Sarvis Center". WNEM.com. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  12. ^ Jackson, Zoe (June 26, 2018). "New Flint Cultural Center school to serve 650 students". Flint Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  13. ^ Acosta, Roberto (August 8, 2018). "Genesee County arts millage on way to approval". Flint Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  14. ^ Keefer, Winter (May 21, 2019). "Genesee County arts millage yields $440,000 for local organizations". Flint Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  15. ^ "The Classic Vehicles at Flint's Buick Automotive Gallery Are En Route to a Temporary Offsite Home". The News Wheel. February 26, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  16. ^ Kates, Kristi (October 7, 2017). "Cars, Stars, and History at Sloan*Longway". Northern Express. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  17. ^ Thorne, Blake (November 20, 2012). "MLive-Flint Journal donates archives to Sloan museum, historic records available for public view". Flint Journal. MLive Media Group. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  18. ^ Aldridge, Chris (November 14, 2013). "Community Foundation $9,000 grant helps Longway Planetarium bring Portable Dome Theater to Flint schools". Flint Journal. MLive Media Group. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  19. ^ Ketchum III, William E. (October 21, 2015). "Uptown, The Whiting partner for Capitol Theatre relaunch in downtown Flint". Flint Journal. MLive Media Group. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  20. ^ May, Jake (December 7, 2017). "Tour Flint's newly-restored, historic Capitol Theatre". Flint Journal. MLive Media Group. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  21. ^ Azizian, Carol (May 7, 2008). "Astronomical awe: Flint's Longway Planetarium celebrates 50 years of giving patrons the moon, stars". Flint Journal. MLive Media Group. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  22. ^ Acosta, Roberto (February 25, 2018). "Repairs at Buick Gallery moving classic vehicle display to Flint-area mall". Flinrt Journal. Mlive Media Group. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
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43°1′21″N 83°40′44″W / 43.02250°N 83.67889°W / 43.02250; -83.67889

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