Requiem for a (SCENE)?

Enter Michigan State University.

According to a statement on the city’s website, East Lansing is negotiating with MSU’s Art, Art History and Design Department to turn over operations of the gallery to the university. This would be a significant cost-cutting move by the city; last year, the gallery ran at a budget deficit of $18,649 and is projected to run at a deficit of $19,500 this year.

Department Chairman Chris Corneal stressed that this is not a done deal and that the university is still reviewing a possible changeover. He wouldn’t give specifics on the timeline, but did express a desire for it to be swift.

“We’d like to move sooner than later,” he said.

Corneal was unwilling to give details about how the university would use the space while negotiations are ongoing, but a statement from the city describes proposed plans to offer eight exhibitions a year and to host student performances in the space. (SCENE) also doubles as a low-cost venue for music performances, poetry slams, community meetings and private parties.

Tim McCaffrey, director of parks and recreation for the city, sees this potential partnership as a win-win. Turning the space over to the university would allow the city to cut its financial obligations to the space while still having an art gallery presence.

“We had hoped (the gallery) would generate its own operational funding, (but) revenue has been flat or declining, and expenses have been increasing,” McCaffrey said.

Under the proposed agreement, the university would assume all operating costs for (SCENE). The city, meanwhile, would provide the space to the university rent-free. McCaffrey said there’s a tentative plan to begin discussion with the city council at the Jan. 27 work session.

So while it’s possible that the gallery is staying put, (SCENE) curator/director Tim Lane has already announced his departure. Lane said via Facebook message that he accepted a position working for the East Lansing Art Festival. Lane said he expects the “Beyond Material” exhibition that opens this weekend to be his last, but he isn’t checking out just yet.

“As long as the space is open, I plan to present art, have exhibitions and host events,” Lane said.

What this means for the future of (SCENE) is unclear. Both sides seem confident that this deal will go through, but the combined red tape of city and university politics means that no outcome should be taken for granted. For now, the gallery will continue to operate in a state of limbo. But in the long term, an influx of student youth and energy, backed by the university’s financial largess, could be a huge boost for the East Lansing arts scene.

For his part, Lane will remember his time at (SCENE) fondly.

“It was a dream of mine to be involved with a place like (SCENE) Metrospace,” he said by email. “(The gallery’s) mission allowed us to focus on emerging artists and art that addressed current societal concerns and new modes of art-making. It allowed us to feature edgy performance. It allowed us to give up-and-coming creatives, from our community and elsewhere, a chance to be who they are and participate in the conversation of today´s art, music, dance, poetry and more.

“It’s been great to be a part of a space dedicated to bringing contemporary and alternative forms of art to downtown East Lansing.”