Journal editorial, 12-29: 'Cultural campus' near Journey a good concept

By The Journal Editorial Board | Friday, December 29, 2006

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The creation of a "cultural campus" centering around The Journey Museum has been talked about for years. The concept has been gaining ground with two pending 2012 projects looking at locating near The Journey.

The performing arts coalition wants to build a theater near The Journey and the proposed powwow grounds also may find a home in the area.

A conceptual drawing of the "Black Hills Cultural Center" shows The Journey with a children's museum, Museum of Geology, tech center, IMAX theater and another future site all situated next to each other on The Journey's New York Street location.

The idea has a lot to recommend it. For one thing, the city already owns the land, which is not being used; it's near the downtown area, it's close to Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, and a cultural center could help boost interest in The Journey.

The Journey has never filled the expectations when it was first built. Annual attendance is about 30,000 paying visitors and the city subsidizes its operations by $325,000 a year. It contains portions of five historic collections - Museum of Geology, Archaeological Research Center, Sioux Indian Museum, Minnilusa Pioneer Museum and the Duhamel Collection - and could use more exhibit space.

A separate Museum of Geology would allow South Dakota School of Mines & Technology to exhibit more of its fossil collection, which is one of the best in the United States, but which between The Journey and the School of Mines campus is not completely on display.

It's the preferred location for the proposed performing arts theater and the Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates believes the area would be ideal for its proposed powwow grounds, arena, living history village and outdoor American Indian art market. Both of these projects have been approved for 2012 funding.

The concept of using area near The Journey Museum as a "Cultural Campus" is a sound long-range plan that makes good use of land that is not being used now. Grouping various theaters, museums and cultural exhibits at a central location is a good idea, and the different facilities can act to attract greater interest from visitors and residents alike.