Lone Tree Arts Center doing better than planners had hoped

LONE TREE —Forty percent of Lone Tree households have come to the Lone Tree Arts Center in its first three years, as the facility continues to sell out more and more shows.

“That statistic is pretty staggering when you think about how 40 percent of households in America don’t attend performing arts, so the fact that 40 percent of the households here have is a great testament to the type of programming we’re doing,” said Lisa Rigsby Peterson, executive director of the 484-seat arts center.

She said the variety of programming and professional productions like the All Request Beatles Tribute and the Henry-award-winning play “Big River” allowed the center to hit its stride last year in terms of offering programs that are very popular, with a third of shows selling out.

Katie Maltais, marketing director for the center, said the 40 percent number doesn’t including the large number of children who attend age-specific programs, either on field trips or with parents. Seedlings, an interactive, performance-based program for kids ages 1-4 offered once a month, has become so popular the arts center has added a second performance.

Senior programming is also popular, including Arts in the Afternoon, Wednesday mid-day matinees, and the frequent jazz performances.

We had “the faith and confidence from the minute we opened that if we programmed some real professional work in a variety of types to reach a wide audience (and) hit that critical mass where everyone felt that this was a successful place,” Peterson said.

Lone Tree Mayor Jim Gunning noted that the majority of residents voted for the tax increase to fund the center’s construction, so he’s not surprised they are attending. However, he has been surprised at how well the center is doing overall.

“We wanted to create a center of activity for the arts and an attraction, and, for me, I think three years into this we’re already where I thought we would be in five years,” Gunning said.

Gunning said the center is projected to serve 60,000 people this season from all around the region.

“I don’t know how many municipalities could make that claim in such a short period of time since opening day,” said Jack O’Boyle, a frequent patron to the center and former Lone Tree mayor from 1996-2007.

Kerry Jamison — who said she was so impressed by the children’s programs that she now volunteers for the Lone Tree Arts Commission — has been bringing her young daughters to programs like Passport to Culture before the arts center was built.

“Now, at the Lone Tree Arts Center, it’s a better stage, better experience and has been improving over the last few years,” Jamison said.

Peterson said the improvements are intentional.

“We made the conscious decision that we wanted this building to be open all the time and not just at 7 o’clock at night for people to come in and then leave, so that’s why we’re doing the kids and senior programming during the day,” in addition to the business meetings the center hosts.

Debbi Haning, former chair of the Lone Tree Arts Commission and current chair of the city’s public arts committee, pointed to the economic impact the center has in the region.

“It has helped with property values,” said Haning, who is also a real estate agent. “If you look at any listings, it mentions it’s near the Lone Tree Arts Center. It’s brought businesses here that wouldn’t have come in the past, so it’s a great economic boost for the city.”

Clayton Woullard: 303-954-2953, cwoullard@denverpost.com or twitter.com/yhClayton