Atlanta plans rate hikes at Chastain Arts Center, new fee structure to rent Gallery 72

By David Pendered

The Atlanta City Council is poised to wait until after the city election on Nov. 7 to consider rate hikes for art programs at Chastain Arts Center and Gallery and a new fee structure to rent the city’s gallery, Gallery 72. The proposals have been pending since they were introduced in April.

The council has called a public hearing for Nov. 15 on the topic of implementing fees at Gallery 72, also known as the 72 Marietta Art Gallery, according to city records.

The council’s Finance Committee voted Oct. 25 to approve the proposal to raise rates at Chastain Arts Center.

Mayor Kasim Reed’s deputy chief of staff asked at the Finance Committee meeting for the council to postpone deliberation of the fee hikes at the arts center until it was able to consider the fee structure at Gallery 72.

“We can reach out to the stake holders and have a more comprehensive conversation and look at the impact to other city venues,” Katrina Taylor Parks, the city’s deputy COO, said.

Councilmember Alex Wan made the motion to hold both papers. Wan is running for city council president. Councilmember Yolanda Adrean seconded Wan’s motion. Adrean is not seeking reelection or election to another council post. The committee voted unanimously to hold the two papers.

Both papers have been on the table since April 26. Reed’s administration submitted the proposed rate hikes at Chastain Arts Center. The new fee structure at the gallery appears to have been submitted by Reed’s administration because it was not submitted by a councilmember.

Since then, the papers have bounced between the committee and council. The pattern was for them to be held by committee; listed on the council agenda as held papers; and returned from the council to the committee with the status: “Returned as held to the Finance/Executive Committee Without Objection.”

At the Chastain Arts Center, the proposed rate hikes include:

Hourly fees

Drawing: To $7 from $6;

Painting: To $7 from $6;

Clay, wheel: To $10 from $8;

Clay, hand building: To $10 from $8.

Printmaking: to $8 from $6.50;

Metalwork: To $8 from $6;

Framemaking: To $8 from $6.50;

Jewelry: To $8 from $6.50.

Fees for other programs are to rise at levels commensurate with the hourly fees. The rate hikes can be read on the legislation.

The proposal regarding Gallery 72 indicates the city intends to establish the first rate structure for the space. The gallery is located a structure donated to the city by owners of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The proposed fee structure includes four components – hourly rental; event rental; salary surcharges; security requirements. Here are the break-downs:

Hourly rental

Refundable security deposit: $100;

Resident Individuals: $30;

Non-resident Individuals: 43;

Resident tax-exempt organizations: $30;

Non-resident tax-exempt organizations: $43;

All other Resident organizations: $75:

All other Non-resident organizations: $112.

Event Packages

• Wedding receptions
• $750 for seven hours. The time includes a maximum of four hours for the event; two hours for set up; one hour for break down. Additional hours available at $187.50 an hour.

Salary surcharge

$25 an hour for each staff person required. One staffer per each 100 persons reasonably expected to attend.

Security requirements

• A number of criteria relate to the required presence of a law enforcement officer certified by the state Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. The criteria relate to the size and purpose of the event. An officer must be present if the anticipated crowd is larger than 75; if alcohol is to be served; if attendees are younger than 21 years; or if city officials think the event warrants security. An additional officer is required for each additional 75 persons.