CHEBOYGAN — Since reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the Cheboygan Opera House has had gains in events and attendance while providing a $1 million economic boost to the local economy.
That was the message from Owen Goslin, executive director, to the city council last month while reviewing the opera house’s annual report. The facility is managed by the nonprofit Cheboygan Area Arts Council and is supported by the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
“Things have been improving over the last three years and we have made a nice comeback from Covid,” Goslin said.
The facility operates on a fiscal year from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. In the period that ended last Sept. 30, Goslin said opera house programming included 80 events that attracted 13,859 adults and 6,012 youth.
In the last fiscal year, the Cheboygan Opera House programming included 80 events that attracted 13,859 adults and 6,012 youth.
Most of the presentations involved music.
“We had classical, big band, country, folk and rock performances. We also had theater and dance events,” Goslin said. “We also have events just for kids, like student matinees where we bring in performers from outside of the community and students from different school districts.”
The opera house offers a professional venue for local school bands and choirs.
“In March we have a school band showcase. Last March, we had the Mackinaw City middle and high school bands along with the Cheboygan school concert bands and the Cheboygan jazz band,” said Goslin.
The opera house also has the capability of live streaming events through its Facebook page so those who can’t attend a performance can hear and view it.
With rising ticket sales and some major grants, the fiscal health of the venue was characterized as sound by Goslin.
“We have increased ticket sales and we receive strong community support in terms of donations,” he added.
Total revenue at the opera house in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30 was $825,212. That number includes a $250,000 grant from Consumers Energy that will be used to improve handicapped accessibility in the building, which was first built in 1877. That grant will also cover upgrades to rest rooms, said Goslin.
“We also plan to upgrade the rigging system, which are the ropes that lift and lower the curtains and lights. We will replace some cables that have been damaged in the last 40 years of use. We want to make sure it is safe, especially with so many schools using the facility,” he said.
Twice ravaged by fires and rebuilt in 1888 and 1903, the facility now houses its original combination of city hall, the fire and police departments and the 582-seat Cheboygan Opera House.
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Goslin said the arts council has utilized a formula developed by the nonprofit Americans for the Arts that uses data collected nationally and when combined with opera house figures, helps to measure the economic impact of the facility.
“We do a lot of things where we hire contractors, pay for hotels and catering from local restaurants. We also have a lot of people who come to Cheboygan for an event and they may need lodging, food, gasoline and may even do some shopping,” Goslin said. “Based on attendance, our budget and other factors, we have a nearly $1.1 million impact, including 21 jobs.”
Twice ravaged by fires and rebuilt in 1888 and 1903, the facility now houses its original combination of city hall, the fire and police departments and the 582-seat opera house. In 1984, after having been closed for about 20 years, the restored opera house re-opened its doors to the public.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan Opera House reports solid finances, attendance growth