Schoettle Center, DeltaARTS a perfect fit

Our View

Schoettle Center, DeltaARTS a perfect fit

We can think of no better tenant to occupy the Schoettle Center than the dedicated group of community leaders and volunteers associated with DeltaARTS, an organization committed to arts education that has positively impacted thousands of students, teachers, families and senior citizens throughout the Mid-South region.

It now appears DeltaARTS representatives are anxious to sign a 10 year lease with Crittenden County which will certainly bring to a close what many have described as a costly messy situation associated with the closure and subsequent bankruptcy of the old Crittenden Regional Hospital.

As most of us are aware, when the hospital was unexpectedly abandoned it left the taxpayers of Crittenden County with a tremendous financial burden. Besides the actual hospital building there was the Professional Building as well as the Schoettle Center along with some other pieces of property.

Up until just a few weeks ago when the old hospital was officially turned over to the state Department of Corrections for a women’s rehabilitation center taxpayers were on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars just to keep the electricity on and pay for security.

Also as most of us are aware, it was county Judge Woody Wheeless who brokered the deal that led to the state corrections taking over the old hospital as well as convincing Baptist Hospital to build a brand new hospital and emergency room here.

The final chore was what to do with the Schoettle Center, a 7,500 square foot facility which included a 76-seat auditorium and physician’s study room. There was some talk that it could be used to hold court but we now know that it will used by DeltaARTS to hold small theater performances, art exhibits and numerous workshops. Currently, the group rents space in the holiday Mall for $750 a month, but that location is set to be demolished in October.

Here’s a little history on this highly worthwhile organization. DeltaARTS was established in 1972 as an arts agency serving Crittenden County.

According to the DeltaARTS website it is affiliated with two national institutions, Wolf Trap Institute and Lincoln Center Institute. It provides arts education and imaginative learning experiences for over 18,000 students.

DeltaARTS programs include: Student Matinee Series; Wolf Trap Early Learning Through the Arts, a whole school approach to arts in education; DeltaARTS Educator Workshop, a world class hands on professional development program; DeltaARTS Focus School Program; Crittenden Youth Theatre; Arts for Seniors; and DeltaARTS Gallery.

DeltaARTS development events include a fall membership campaign; a winter Corporate Trivia Challenge; Art on the Levee, a spring party and art sale; and the Janine Earney Celebrity Carnival, an annual three-night televised auction.

Again, turning over the Schoettle Center, a facility that was built in 2000 and was a gift from the Schoettle family in honor of Dr. Glen Schoettle’s 47 years of medical practice in Crittenden County, is very appropriate.