11/24/2008 RiverPark officials 'ecstatic' over inclusion in downtown master plan By Beth Wilberding Messenger-Inquirer An arts academy has been on the minds of RiverPark Center officials for a couple of years. When Gateway Planning Group laid out a plan for downtown Owensboro a little more than a week ago, a proposed $5 million arts academy was part of the $80 million package. RiverPark Center officials are "absolutely ecstatic" about the arts academy's inclusion, said Roxi Witt, general manager of the RiverPark. "It certainly is one of those things that makes you feel that all the effort and all that time has been worth it," she said. Representatives from Gateway Planning Group, schools and local arts organizations met during the plan's development. The proposed arts academy is still in the early planning stages, but the facility could eventually offer college and high school classes. One of the advantages of having Gateway Planning Group evaluate Owensboro was that it honed on the city's strength in the arts, said Nick Brake, president of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. Officials plan to look at Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at Western Kentucky University as one potential model for the arts academy, Brake said. The Gatton Academy invites high school juniors and seniors to live on campus at Western and take courses. Officials will also look at a performing arts program in South Carolina and Kentucky's Governor's School for the Arts as guides. "The idea here is to look at a model where we bring some students in with the arts," Brake said. "Start an arts magnet type program with juniors and seniors that leads into the college programming that we've got." There isn't a performing arts magnet west of Interstate 65 in Kentucky, he said. Brake said he is hopeful that the proposed arts academy will be "where students can start in late high school and lead to a (college) degree." Kentucky Wesleyan College is among the institutions working with the proposed arts academy. Students have already had opportunities to intern in several arts organizations, including the RiverPark Center, the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra and the International Bluegrass Music Museum. "We're looking at ways we can have more students involved, utilize all of our resources and create a program that will really be attractive to our post-secondary students here and hopefully attract more students to the area," KWC President Cheryl King said. Both King and Diane Earle, chairwoman of the department of Communication and Fine Arts at KWC, have attended meetings with other local entities about the arts academy. "I think we've got solid footing to build a plan," King said. The location of the arts academy has yet to be determined. RiverPark Center officials have previously said they would like to build an arts academy above the courtyard between the RiverPark Center and Woodward's Theatre on Daviess Street. Gateway Planning Group has identified a couple of potential locations, Brake said. Second Street, east of the RiverPark Center, is one possible spot. Officials are also looking in the area of Fifth and Frederica streets. "We're very open to (the arts academy being) wherever it makes the most sense. ... It doesn't have to be on our property," Witt said. "We don't have to control it. We just want to participate and be a part of this project and downtown in general."