Review panel would handle community cultural center.
By: Amanda Bok
CRANBURY — The Township Committee wants to form a review committee to handle a community cultural center in Town Hall, rather than give the responsibility to one person acting as curator.
Committee members want to turn the Gourgaud Gallery, located in Town Hall until the building’s renovation, into a multifunctional cultural space that will offer book readings, musical performances, art shows and other events.
Forming a review committee will help to balance community and township involvement, committee members said. The idea is to make sure township officials have final word over the center’s activities and no one community person has too much control.
"The township can’t cede space in the building to an individual or any civic or community group," said Mayor Michael Mayes. "We are responsible to the town for the maintenance and upkeep of that building."
The committee likely will be comprised of a cross-section of the community including the director of the library; an artist either in the visual, written musical or performing arts; two residents of the community; and an art teacher or historian. Members will be appointed for a one-year term and will select one member to be the chairperson who will preside over meetings.
According to tentative guidelines, applicants seeking to have their work exhibited at the gallery will be asked to submit copies of all materials to be used or displayed including copies of textual materials that will be recited or displayed; photographs of all works to be displayed; and recordings of all audio material to be played or performed. Applicants also will be asked to outline the nature of their show, its duration and the number of visitors likely to attend.
After reviewing an applicant’s proposal, the review committee will make recommendations to township administrator Frederick Carr, who will oversee the availability of the space.
"The purpose of the committee is to review and evaluate the appropriateness of the use of that space," said Mayor Mayes.
"All we do is manage the space," Mr. Carr said. "The committee deems (applicants’ work) appropriate."
Most committee members supported the tentative guidelines and suggested small, linguistic changes. But committeemen Tom Gambino and Greg Overstreet questioned the wisdom of having a gallery without one, overseeing director.
The questions addressed the possibility of resident and Cranbury Arts Council member Bob Virgadamo volunteering to be curator of the gallery.
"We haven’t really finalized the guidelines," Mr. Overstreet said. "But I think there’s a lot of practicality in having one person direct the function so that they can coordinate the arrangement of shows and dates for shows.
"People were aware that he is very active in the community, especially with the arts. I know the Arts Council felt he would be a good person for the task." Mr. Overstreet said.
Mr. Virgadamo said he offered to volunteer as curator after being approached by committee members and recommended by the Arts Council.
"I’ve been working with the Township Committee waiting for them to ratify me as the curator of the gallery," Mr. Virgadamo said.
According to Mayor Mayes, no decisions or commitments were made.
"I would imagine that various members of the committee over time have spoken with the Arts Council and that’s fine. The Arts Council has done wonderful things for the town and we always seek their input," Mayor Mayes said. "As far as any promises go, the committee has not taken any actions with respect to the gallery or the review committee."
Committeewoman Pari Stave said she never asked Mr. Virgadamo to be director or curator of the gallery.
"It’s not a personal issue," Ms. Stave said. "I just don’t think a person or special interest group should have managerial control over a township-owned space. I think the management of Town Hall is the responsibility of the township committee through the township administrator."
According to Ms. Stave, that doesn’t mean Mr. Virgadamo wouldn’t have every right or freedom to curate individual exhibits.
Under the proposed guidelines, community members interested in organizing an exhibit can submit their applications to the review committee for approval and then Mr. Carr would book the room.
Some committee members said they hope Mr. Virgadamo would participate in the center’s organization of events.
"Bob has made very important and valuable contributions to the Arts Council and to art in general in Cranbury," Mayor Mayes said. "I think the committee is very desirous of having Bob curate those exhibits which he brings to our review committee and for which space and time is available in our gallery."
Ms. Stave said she doesn’t want to exclude other interested community members from organizing their own exhibits.
"In all fairness, there might be other people who want to curate exhibitions," Ms. Stave said at the meeting.
But Mr. Virgadamo said he volunteered to curate the gallery and not just a few exhibits.
"It’s not a control issue, it’s a continuity issue," he said, referring to providing a steady flow of exhibits. "I don’t see how I can curate a gallery if there’s not a certain degree of responsibility put on my shoulders."
Mr. Virgadamo said he is working with the committee to move forward on the issue.
The committee will review the guidelines and allow for more public discussion before making any decisions.

