Over the last 14 months, the Baxter Perkinson Center for the Arts has sprouted from the ground that has been patiently waiting for its arrival for nearly two decades. The theater that will host a bevy of artistic programs for Chester and the surrounding area is expected to be completed in the next five to six weeks. And according to the Chesterfield Center for the Arts Foundation (CCAF), it’s like something Chester has never seen before.
“It’s the type of facility that people will come to regardless of what show is playing,” said Hugh Cline, chairman of CCAF board. “It’s different than anything theater you have ever been to and I think folks will be impressed by how stunning of a facility it is.”
As lucky as Chester is to have such a facility and to finally be able to see it come to fruition, theater-goers will have to wait a little longer as theaters across the country have forced to navigate new regulations related to COVID-19.
“COVID has slowed our progress but we expect to take possession of the center next month and expect to have our first event early in 2021,” said Cline.
Although the arts center has made progress over the last 14 months and is shaping-up to be a huge benefit to the Chester community, there have been setbacks as well.
Recently, the CCAF board and its executive director, Bruce Miller, agreed to void his employment contract. According to CCAF, Miller was not meeting some of his obligations as executive director. Miller submitted a letter of resignation on August 12 – just over 13 months into his contract.
“We wish Bruce well and we learned a lot from his knowledge of the theater world. He had the idea that the art center needed to be the center of the universe for the arts in Chesterfield,” said Cline. “If parks & rec, schools, or libraries had an art related program, Bruce wanted it to be run by the art center.”
Cline believes that such a program will be a great idea down the road, but the board needed him to concentrate on getting the center open and operating effectively and efficiently, now.
“Bruce had a lot of good ideas and big ideas that would be beneficial for the arts in Chester, but we needed him to focus more on operations and fund raising,” said Cline. “Bruce wanted the board to be fundraisers, and yes, the board members have given generously and have raised a lot of money over the years, but we have always been a working board.”
Traditionally, executive directors are responsible for fund raising, managing staff and overseeing operations of non-profit organizations, among other duties.
Looking forward, the Baxter Perkinson Center for the Arts and CCAF board says Miller’s absence will not slow the art center’s opening and they are actively looking for Miller’s replacement.
“We [CCAF board] are in a good position and are all on the same page now,” said Cline. “We are reenergized as we look forward to the grand opening of the Baxter Perkinson Center for the Arts.”
The Baxter Perkinson Center for the Arts is located at 11800 Centre Street, adjacent to Chester Library.
