I write to set the record straight regarding a recent story about the University’s future arts center.
The proposed center was not “stalled over donor’s $22 million” as the headline proclaimed. Nor was the “theater space scrapped” because the gift is “on hold.”
Had the reporter done a bit more homework for the story she would have learned the following:
• The arts center project is, in fact, alive and well, and continues to evolve into a broader, more comprehensive project than the original concept. While the new concept has not yet been finalized, it now includes not only a new art museum, but also a residential college. The project will be phased, and the theater will be included in the second phase.
• The family of Carl W. Smith continues to be engaged with the University, and Mrs. Smith is an active participant in helping shape the future arts project.
• The Smiths’ original challenge commitment of $22 million in April 2003, made through a combination of personal and Richmond Community Foundation pledges, was contingent on commencement of construction by June 2005. While $1 million of the gift covered early architectural renderings, the remainder lapsed under its own terms when the initial project did not move forward. The gift is not “on hold.”
• Mrs. Smith—well known for her enthusiastic support for the arts, the community, and the University—has indicated that she is looking forward to reviewing the concept once the proposal is finalized.
Carol Wood, assistant VP for public affairs, UVA
Charlottesville
The editor replies: Ms. Wood’s concern for our reportorial homework is misplaced in this case. Nowhere in Meg McEvoy’s article did we assert that the arts center was anything but “alive and well” (as Wood put it). In fact, the art museum and residential college were specifically noted by McEvoy, as was the “phasing” that characterizes the entire arts center project. It was University Architect David Neuman who used the phrase “on hold” to describe the Smith family’s gift. If that language offends Ms. Wood, she is respectfully advised to take it to the source.
Moreover, nowhere did McEvoy assert that the Smith family is not engaged with UVA. Additionally, efforts were made to ascertain the specific terms of the $22 million gift, now detailed by Ms. Wood, but, as noted in McEvoy’s article, Development Officer Alison Traub did not return repeated calls by press time.