Background

On October 24, 2018, the Chapel Hill Town Council resolved to create the Varsity Theatre Task Force. The Task Force is co-chaired by Council Members Michael Parker and Rachel Schaevitz with staff support from Susan Brown (Executive Director of Community Arts & Culture), Ross Tompkins (Assistant to the Town Manager), and Sarah Poulton (Downtown Special Projects Manager).

Task Force Charge

Consider the possible use of the Varsity Theatre at 123 East Franklin Street as a community performing arts center. In addition, the Task Force is charged with determining:

• What would be the vision for such a venue? What types of programming would be appropriate and desired by our community?
• How would such a venue meet community needs, reflect community values, and attract a wide range of individuals to the Downtown and what would be the economic impact on the Downtown?
• What would be the costs of this conversion for both acquisition and necessary refurbishment – and how long would it require? How would these costs be paid for and what kinds of partnership(s) might be feasible?

Task Force Report

The Council accepted the Task Force's final report and recommendations at the June 26, 2019 Council business meeting.

• Task Force Report
• Council Resolution and Materials

Meeting Schedule

The Task Force met monthly with its first meeting in December, 2018. Agendas and meeting minutes can be found at the links below:

April 15, 2019:

• Town Calendar Notice
• Meeting Agenda
• Meeting Minutes

March 18, 2019:

• Town Calendar Notice
• Meeting Agenda
• Approved Meeting Minutes

February 18, 2019:

• Town Calendar Notice
• Meeting Agenda
• Approved Meeting Minutes
• February 18, 2019 Meeting Exercise Notes
• International Downtown Association (IDA) Report on Downtown Chapel Hill
• Town of Chapel Hill Community Arts Master Plan
• Town of Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture Business Plan
• Arts and Economic Prosperity Report (Americans for the Arts)
  • Arts and Economic Prosperity Report (Americans for the Arts) one-page summary
• Orange County Arts Commission Report ("Setting the Stage")

January 28, 2019:

• Town Calendar Notice
• Meeting Agenda
• Approved Meeting Minutes
• January 28, 2019 Meeting Exercise Notes

December 17, 2018:

• Town Calendar Notice
• Meeting Agenda
• Approved Meeting Minutes with Materials
  

More information about the Varsity Theatre Task Force and a list of committee members can be found on the Council boards and commissions webpage.