News from the Dubuque Arts Council
June 28, 2024
Why the Dubuque Arts Council will end Music in the Gardens at the Dubuque Arboretum after the 2024 Season
Dear Friends:
There has been much concern in the community as to why the Dubuque Arts Council would end the longstanding and popular Music in the Gardens summer concert series at the Dubuque Arboretum. There has been speculation and misinformation as to why such a popular free concert series will come to an end. We do not want to create conflict between two great organizations but feel we need to let our supporters know why we made this decision and how we had no other choice.
The Dubuque Arts Council started the Music in the Gardens at the Dubuque Arboretum series 32 years ago in 1992. We developed the concept of a public free concert and established the name Music in the Gardens. A Dubuque Arts Council long time board member Joan Packard built the Packard Pavilion on the Dubuque Arboretum grounds for the free concerts to be enjoyed in a beautiful outdoor setting. This started the long and successful partnership between two Dubuque nonprofits - The Dubuque Arts Council and the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
At an October 2023 meeting between the leadership of the Dubuque Arts Council and the Dubuque Arboretum, the Dubuque Arts Council brought up the issues of increasing audience size, the problems with slow exit times for vehicles, EMT access and whether there may be a need for security. The Arboretum shared that with their pending new construction they may not be able to host the 2025 concert series. The Arts Council explained that a decision by March 2024 would need to be reached to allow performers for 2025 to be contracted.
On January 26th, 2024, the Arboretum asked for a joint meeting of the leadership of the two organizations as they had proposals for going forward with the 2025 season. However, they were unable to set up a meeting for more than 3 months, well past the deadline of when we needed to secure the artists. At the time, we had 3 artists holding proposed dates and asking for contracts. We then asked the Arboretum for a letter with their proposals ahead of the meeting.
Two months later, on March 31st, the Arts Council received a letter from the Arboretum indicating that the 2025 series could go forward if the following demands were met:
The Arts Council would consider taking over the producing of the Arboretum’s 6 concerts (in addition to their 7 concerts).
The Arts Council would submit our proposed artists to the Arboretum for their approval.
The Arts Council would pay $1500 rent to the Arboretum for each concert totaling $19,500 if we were to produce all 13 concerts. The Arboretum would retain all profits from food sales at the events.
The Arboretum would dictate the messaging the Arts Council would say at the microphone about donations during intermission.
The Arboretum would only communicate with the Arts Council’s office manager as opposed to its Executive Board.
The Arts Council had serious concerns regarding the demands placed on it at such a late date. As a small nonprofit organization that had enjoyed a long-term relationship with the Arboretum, the ask of such a high rent was not financially viable. Also, as a volunteer organization with only one part time staff member, taking on the entire concert series would be impossible. The other demands were offensive as The Dubuque Arts Council has prided itself on artistic excellence and professionalism.
On April 30, the two organizations met and the Dubuque Arboretum emphasized that the rent was nonnegotiable for the 2025 series to continue. Dubuque Arts Council requested clarification that in fact the Dubuque Arboretum was cancelling the 2025 series since the Dubuque Arts Council would not be able to pay rent.
On May 17th, the Dubuque Arboretum notified the Dubuque Arts Council of further demands including the Arts Council paying for security and paying for a parking director. There was no information of the cost or scope of either of these. Their previous demands had not been rescinded.
On June 10th, the Dubuque Arts Council notified the Arboretum that our involvement with the Music In the Gardens series at the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens would end after the conclusion of the 2024 season due to not being able to meet their demands. Additionally, we decided to terminate our involvement with the Arboretum as it was clear from demands being placed on us that our relationship was no longer a partnership.
While The Dubuque Arts Council wished to continue many more seasons of Music at the Gardens at the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, we hope our
audiences, supporters and musical artists will look back fondly on the 32 years of memories we share.
The mission of the Dubuque Arts Council for the past 55 years was to bring outstanding performers from many disciplines to perform in Dubuque area schools as inspiration for young people. This will continue.
We have identified another venue for the 2025 season and have artists set to perform. Expect a further announcement in the next few weeks. We appreciate all the support the community has given us through the years and will see you again in 2025.
Sincerely,
The Dubuque Arts Council