This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost. Let us know if you find any major problems.
Text in this format is not official and should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.
WQ.250/2022
WRITTEN QUESTION TO
THE MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, SPORT AND CULTURE
BY DEPUTY L.V. FELTHAM OF ST. HELIER CENTRAL
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 24th OCTOBER 2022
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 31st OCTOBER 2022
Question
In relation to the Opera House, will the Minister –
- provide details of any needs and/or requirements analysis that has been undertaken in order to determine the scope of the Opera House restoration project; and
- outline the extent to which such analysis considered the following -
- the size and population of the Island;
- the technical and accommodation requirements of local community performing arts organisations (including educational organisations such as dance and theatre schools);
- the type of professional touring productions that are able to travel to the Island;
- the technical and accommodation requirements of professional performing arts organisations that are resident in Jersey; and
- whether there were alternative options presented and what assessment he has undertaken to ensure that the proposal will provide the best value for money in terms of affordability and fitness for purpose?
Answer
- The building project to renovate the grade II listed Opera House Building is being managed by a professional project manager and integrated design team from a firm selected in 2021 after an open tender process. The analysis and scope of works undertaken by the project manager underpinned the business case submitted by the Economy Department to the Treasury and the funding allocated to the project is in response to this business case.
- In March 2021, anticipating a need to review the Jersey Opera House operating model and legal structure to ensure that it was able to meet the needs of the local performing arts sector and continue to be the flagship cultural venue for Jersey, I commissioned a report by an arts development expert into the performing arts venue landscape in Jersey.
This review included consideration of both the size and cultural needs of Jersey’s population, it’s arts ecosystem as a small island and the technical requirements of a modern, progressive theatre which can accommodate touring shows as well as cater to local amateur and professional productions.
As a part of this review we consulted the other arts venues and major arts organisations as well as a number of key stakeholders from across the performing arts sector in Jersey.
The output of the review was a report entitled ‘The Performing Arts Ecosystem of Jersey: Situation Analysis and Options Appraisal for the Jersey Opera House’. This report was published earlier this month and contains a series of options and recommendations for Government to consider in relation to how we develop the new operating model and leal structures.
Alongside this work I have also asked for a number of other items of work to be completed:
• A consultation exercise with a group of local art sector professionals aimed at better understanding the needs and aspirations of the sector – in both the community / amateur and professional sectors
• A review by a theatre design company to ensure that the latest thinking in theatre technical and operational design is incorporated into the renovated Opera House
• A review of theatre operating models, taking in 14 different successful theatres from other parts of the world to understand the best operating model for a theatre of this size in a place like Jersey.
These items of work are currently underway and will feed into the redesign of the operating model.
I believe this work will put us in the best place possible to set up a new operating structure that will enable us to get the best from the Jersey Opera House for now and for future generations.