TTU Centerstage Fund Could Take Permanent $100K Hit

Tennessee Tech’s Centerstage Fund is short $100,000 this year.

The Centerstage Fund allows the university to invite poets, speakers, artists, and musicians to perform and teach students. The funds were temporarily cut earlier this year. Theatre Professor Mark Creter said he was expecting the semester to look different due to the pandemic.

“We knew that there were going to have to be some changes,” Creter said. “We were not anticipating that part of that change would be $100,000 less money available than we had originally. That had originally been budgeted for events for the 2020-2021 season.”

Creter said if this temporary cut becomes permanent, it would be detrimental to the arts, theater, and music programs. A limited fund means less art displays in Derryberry Gallery and virtually no musical theater productions.

During Chat with the President Tuesday, Creter voiced his concern to President Phil Oldham about the cut.

“There were cuts being made all across the university back in May and June when we were panicked then I think we are now,” Creter said. “Even now, I’m seeing that I think they’re looking across the board and saying ‘okay, now we can go and restore some of these things because we’re going to be okay.'”

For right now the Centerstage Fund budget will support the theater season for the Fall semester. Creter said budget proposals will go in November for the next fiscal year.