YES We want to continue having a Piedmont Center For The Arts!  AND we want all Piedmonters to be able to use our government-owned, taxpayer supported historic building!  SO it makes no sense to just rent the whole place to a private group with total discretion over all usage and programming.  BUT we can have it both ways as the cities of Pleasanton & Clayton already do. Simply put, they share!  Many have attended summer theatre shows in Clayton or art exhibits or performances at the City of Pleasanton's Firehouse building, both situations in which a taxpayer-owned, City building is shared among multiple uses while having a vibrant arts program.  Piedmont can do that too!

Please support the SOLUTION of having the Recreation Department run the 801 Magnolia West Wing with open access for all Piedmonters while 1600 hours per year is reserved for the EXCLUSIVE and FREE USE by the nonprofit Piedmont Center For The Arts, Inc.  This way of having the City subsidize and support the arts in our community can totally co-exist with other non-arts usages as it does in other cities. This way, ALL citizens can use the Piedmont Center building just as they now can use the Veteran's Hall but the PCA, or appointed ARTS COMMISSION,  will continue wonderful artistic events there for the whole town to attend, exactly as it now does.  Most residents will not notice any change. The Center will still advertise on a dedicated website & in the Post and Piedmonter, and continue arranging the wonderful artistic displays & performances all enjoy!

The City Council will take up this issue at its April 19th Session.  We who have formed The Piedmont Committee For The Arts are asking the Council to turn down this proposed private rental and broaden the discussion of how best to use our 801 Magnolia public building for all residents, to consider this proposed solution, hold public hearings, and perhaps form an Arts Commission. Please lend your support by adding your name!