Courtesy SPAC
Despite severe challenges caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) closed the year without a budget shortfall, officials said at the organization’s board of directors meeting in December.
Also, given the uncertainties of what 2021 may bring with regard to the pandemic, SPAC is planning for a number of potential scenarios to present a season that will be ready to meet whatever the prevailing conditions are this spring and summer.
“What we know is this,” said Sobol. “One way or another, there will be a SPAC season. And one way or the other, we are committed to ensuring a Saratoga presence by our beloved resident companies.”
Like so many cultural institutions, SPAC’s 2020 was markedly different than what President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol imagined when programming for season was first announced in January of 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“Just over seven months ago, SPAC took the unprecedented measure of cancelling its whole summer season in the face of the worsening coronavirus pandemic,” said Sobol. “Taking that step felt literally like walking off a cliff.”
As a result of the cancellation of SPAC’s classical season, which was to include performances by resident companies New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, SPAC’s earned income dropped by $6 million, or 60 percent of its budget. SPAC had projected a potential shortfall of over $1 million, “a breathtaking gap that brought our very survival into question,” said Sobol.
But at the close of 2020, Sobol said that, thanks to the extraordinary generosity from the community, the potential deficit was eliminated and SPAC will end the year in the black.
“Thanks to our incredible community, we were able to do what SPAC does best,” said Sobol. “Provide, even in the midst of a global pandemic, communal gathering around art, artists and community.”
Following the shutdown, SPAC began work on SPAC Reimagined, an initiative to bring arts and culture to the community at a time when the community was unable to come to SPAC.
That recalibration led to over 50 hours of online programming including:
• Freihofer’s Jazz Fest Stay Home Sessions in partnership with Caffè Lena.
• The SPAC Reimagined series of locally-shot dance videos that paid tribute to the 2020 classical season featuring New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
• The world premiere of “Testament,” a radio play about Beethoven written by Damian Lanigan and co-produced with Saratoga Shakespeare Co.
• Exclusive performances by Joshua Bell and Time for Three, filmed in Saratoga and at SPAC
• Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK, a GPS-enabled work of public art in the Saratoga Spa State Park that used music to illuminate the natural environment.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, SPAC was unable to celebrate the completion and opening of its transformational new construction project, The Pines @ SPAC. Nonetheless, The Pines and its various indoor/outdoor spaces allowed SPAC to open its gates for over 200 events. Over 8,000 attendees came from July to December, just 50 people at a time, abiding by COVID-19 protocols.
Fall of 2020 brought the launch of CulinaryArts@SPAC showcasing innovative chefs and restaurants in the region with safe, intimate dining events. It is a programming initiative offering park-based dining experiences as well as education about food, drink, and sustainability for members of the community.
Throughout the summer and fall, audiences also attended wellness, art, dance and drumming classes; screenings of classic films, chamber music, orchestral music and dance; meetings and gatherings that could not have happened safely in their usual indoor locations.
All proceeds from the culinary, wellness, dance, drumming and art classes went back to chefs, farmers, teachers and practitioners.
In May, as schools were shuttered, SPAC also reimagined its signature education programming by providing free original arts educational content to more than 15,000 students, families and educators via the SPAC Learning Library. The Learning Library features lessons and activities from more than 25 professional musicians and dancers as well as former Broadway performers, composers and local storytellers.
SPAC also launched the Adirondack Trust Co. Festival of Young Artists’ online gallery in July. The website created a platform for more than 400 students to showcase their creative accomplishments.
SPAC’s Education team, led by Dennis Moench, devised a COVID-safe, in-school residency being piloted at Charlton Heights Elementary. A total of 104 students learned Broadway-style choreography to “Too Darn Hot” from the musical “Kiss Me, Kate” for a virtual performance planned for release Feb. 1.