Written by Patricia Neligan Barley

As Carl Sandburg once said, “Nothing happens unless first we dream.”

Did you ever dream about the day you would leave for college, where would you go, what would you study? Or maybe you had a vision of what your wedding would be like? Would you get married in a park, or perhaps a church? How would you fund such an event? Well, that would take a lot of planning. So many things to consider, and think about. That is how the vision for a new Beck Center has come about. It has started with a vision for what the Beck Center for the Arts sees in their future. As Cindy Einhouse, President and CEO of the Beck Center for the Arts said “The most successful projects are the ones carefully planned out.”

First you start with a vision, then you have to consider the cost, the impact it would have on the community and if it is something you want to support. Of course then there is getting the word out about the project. Just like planning a wedding, you need to have a budget, decide how it is going to impact your life, and see if your family and friends want to support you. Then you let everyone know by getting engaged and sending out invitations! Consider this your invitation to learn more about The Beck Center!

I recently met with Einhouse and Yvette Hanzel Director of Marketing & External Affairs, and I asked them what differentiates the Beck Center from other art centers. They agree that it is the most comprehensive art center that they have found. There are two professional theatres, an arts education program including dance, music, theatre, visual arts and creative arts therapies, all offering a variety of classes for all age ranges. I live right down the street from the Beck Center and have taken advantage of a few of the children’s programs and performances but I had no idea how many art programs they have for the entire family. The day I met with Einhouse and Hanzel Chuck Yarborough was on the front page of the Plain Dealer for his “On the Job” article about his stint as a live model for one of the Beck’s adult drawing classes.

For the last 75 years the Beck Center has been a vital community resource, but the three buildings are very costly and inefficient to operate. There are over 30 different heating systems and the new plan is to make the new buildings more “green.” They have experienced tremendous support from the city as a whole and Lakewood’s Director of Planning and Development Nate Kelly. Kelly meets monthly with some Beck Center board members, outside experts in real estate, along with urban planners and an architectural design team including Westlake Reed Leskosky and the KSU Urban Design Collaborative to help move the plan forward.

The goal of this Revitalization Project would be to consolidate the operation on the existing footprint and convert some of the property for business or housing which would generate income and provide a stimulating environment for the community. The Beck Center’s vision is to do all this while being attentive to historic preservation, as well as be a catalyst for the creation of an arts and culture district in Lakewood. The Beck Center is in the planning phase of this Revitalization Project and would like the community to know that they are still working on it. The project is being costed out and a business plan is being written, as well as dialogue with developers to decide how best to proceed.

“Our vision is for the Beck Center to be an exciting destination point with mixed use of facilities,” says Einhouse “Our goal is to create an exciting atmosphere with a positive economic impact.” The Beck is in discussions with a local entrepreneur about putting in a coffee shop. When I commented that this would also be a great “hot spot” for parents to relax, and maybe get some work done while their children are in classes they informed me that Beck is already wired for Internet connections and this is already a possibility.

Compared to other arts organizations, the Beck’s percent of earned income is relatively high; 65 to 70 percent of expenses are covered by earned revenue. However, this still leaves approximately $750,000 which needs to be raised each year from individuals, corporations, foundations and government entities which understand and appreciate the vital role that such a tremendous cultural asset provides to a community. I had no idea about the upcoming “Inside the Beck” a Community Celebration of the Arts, and this is simply because there is not always funding to help get the word out. “Inside the Beck”, is on Saturday, June 7th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. This will be a fun family event to help highlight all of the great things the Beck Center has to offer. There will be vintage costumes on sale as well as stage items, and make and take art activities. If you don’t know that much about the Beck now is your time to come and find out.

The Beck Center is celebrating 60 years of its children’s theatre program. There have been generations of families involved in the Beck and it is an important part of the fabric of this community. “We constantly hear wonderful feedback from the community about the Beck’s educational programs and professional theatre series. It is our mission to provide the finest quality arts education programs and to stage innovative and exciting theatre. With the support of the community we will continue to do so for years to come”, says Einhouse. Please stop by and check out this diamond of a place and help it sparkle into the future!
The Beck and Lakewood, a perfect marriage!

The Beck Center for the Arts
17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood
(216) 521-2540
http://www.beckcenter.org/

View The Beck's class schedule by age group.