Controversy Looms at Arts Center

Miami’s Carnival Center for the Performing Arts [Photo: Robin Hill]

The Carnival Center for the Performing Arts is going into its second season with new board leadership, programming and controversy. The center recently added 2,700 parking spaces to address a shortage that marred the center’s debut. Brian Foss, a non-profit management consultant, questions why public money has been used to finance almost all of the $468-million structure. Boosting private financial support tops the agenda for Ricky Arriola, president of Miami-based Inktel Direct and the new chairman of Performing Arts Center Trust, the independent organization that runs the Carnival Center.

Florida Trend: Your board’s recent approval of a 42% pay hike for CEO Michael Hardy sparked controversy. How do you respond to the
criticism?

Ricky Arriola

Ricky Arriola: Our CEO had a contract; we honored that contract. Had we not done it, we would have been in breach of our contract.

FT: What’s your assessment of the first year?

Arriola: If I were to judge us on a rookie season and not compare us to other institutions with a longer history, I think we had a very strong year with a lot of promise. Our bumps in the road are learning opportunities. They’re completely fixable. But our successes are extremely encouraging.

FT: What’s your main objective?

Arriola: My main objective is to make Carnival Center a world-class performing arts institution. We’re going to focus on the quality of our programming. We’re going to make sure that we reach our audience through progressive marketing. We’re going to have a very strong educational component that reaches out.

FT: What about corporate support?

Arriola: Our other objectives include engaging the private sector for meaningful fund raising so that we can have long-term financial stability. That includes corporate sponsorships and underwriting opportunities for performances, for educational programs, for festivals and for specific series. If the programming is compelling, private donors will come forward to help support our mission.

Tags: Miami-Dade