Hoogland Center’s second act
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Next, it was Southwind Park, he continues. Now, he says Sacred Heart-Griffin High School is seeking $8 million for a football stadium, and the Catholic Diocese of Springfield is asking the community for donations to fund its renovation of a cathedral.
“We’re always competing for big gifts,” he says. “We’ve lost out on a lot of giving opportunities, because a lot of the efforts we’ve made have been blocked by some of the other things going on in town.”
Doing its best
When discussing donations, Carlson points out that Springfield is unique when compared with other cities in central Illinois.
Peoria has fairly lively arts scene, she says, but they also have heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar, which offers a sizable chunk of financial support. Likewise, Decatur has Archer Daniels Midland Company and Millikin University, Bloomington-Normal has Illinois State University, and Champaign-Urbana has the University of Illinois.
“We don’t really have a big sponsor in Springfield like some other cities,” Carlson says. “But I think we’ve done pretty well considering that. I think we’ve done as well as any of them.”
One measure of the Hoogland’s success is being a community resource that draws people to the arts, says Penny Wollan-Kriel, assistant director of the Springfield Area Arts Council. However, she says the center’s board of trustees must often make difficult decisions that balance public service with simply surviving. Keeping certain things free of charge, like meeting space for the Citizens Club, is one such choice, she says.
“You do need a space that is communityfriendly, but you can’t do it at the loss of the facility itself,” she says. “You are doing a public service, but it’s a two-sided sword. You still have your heat on, your lights on, and it’s a fine line as to where you make that decision.”
A real gem
The Hoogland is the Musée d’Orsay of Springfield – a showcase of home-grown inspiration, but it is even more than that. It is a manifestation of the community’s quest for self-improvement and a meeting place for Springfield citizens from all walks of life. Despite its trials, those who work, perform and seek enlightenment at the Hoogland are pleased with how it has turned out.
“It’s more than I hoped it could be,” Oxtoby the developer says. “It’s such an asset, and it has really drawn people. There’s no other place that has such a variety of programs. To combine all of that into one building just blows me away. I’ve never seen anything else like it.”
For many people, it is more than just an arts center — it is a spiritual place.
“It’s incredible when someone comes in and sees a painting that makes them stop and say, ‘Oh my gosh!’ ” Wollan-Kriel says. “It’s that ‘Aha!’ moment that really gives heart and soul to the individual.”
Contact Patrick Yeagle at [email protected].
