Shubert Center director stepping down

Kim Motes has resigned as executive director of the Minnesota Shubert Center after seven years. Motes, who became personally identified with the effort, will become the first full-time managing director of Theater Latté Da, the fastest-growing midsized theater company in the Twin Cities.

"My goal was to raise $34.5 million for this project, and we've accomplished that," Motes said on Friday. "The last seven years have been heavy lifting, but I think it's poised to happen."

The Shubert, built in 1910, was saved from demolition and moved to 5th and Hennepin in 1999. Artspace Projects Inc. envisioned a $34 million reclamation that might open as early as 2001 -- primarily as a dance and music venue. Fundraising proved difficult, however, and the renovation still has not broken ground. Motes helped secure $12 million in state bonding and recently announced a $1.5 million grant from the Kresge Foundation. Under her leadership, Shubert fundraising rose to $34.5 million from $11 million. However, the total cost of the project has now increased to $41 million.

Colin Hamilton, director of development, will succeed Motes as executive director. He was not surprised on Friday that some observers view her departure as a significant setback.

"Losing Kim is a blow," he said. "I don't want to play down the challenges we still face but I think she and I agree that the project has reached a level of maturity."

The Kresge grant requires the Shubert to raise $6.5 million by the end of 2009. Hamilton said that in comparison, the Shubert raised $9 million in the last 12 months.

Artspace President Kelly Lindquist also said he remained confident.

"I honestly don't think I'm being optimistic that the plan will get to construction," he said. "The entities that we are going to need to give us money are capable of putting us over the finish line. I really feel that deeply in my soul."

Minnesota native

Motes, 41, admitted the project has drawn out longer than she anticipated. Too, she missed working for a performing-arts company. A Minnesota native, she returned to the Twin Cities after working in Washington, D.C., with Arena Stage, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Washington Ballet.

"When I was at Arena, after a hard day, I could walk into the theater at night and see audiences enjoying our performances," she said. "I haven't been able to do that for seven years."

At Latté Da, Motes is reunited with artistic director Peter Rothstein, a friend since they both went to College of St. Benedict/St. John's University. Under Rothstein and music director Denise Prosek, Latté Da has grown faster than any other midsized theater in the Twin Cities -- its annual budget has risen from $98,000 in 2001 to $525,000 this year. "Peter is the most exciting artist working in this community right now," she said. "This is a company I have loved for a long time."

Rothstein said Motes can help Latté Da reach a national profile with touring and promotion. His production of "All is Calm" with the vocal group Cantus is visiting 12 cities this holiday season and will be broadcast on radio to five continents.

"We're not maximizing our product right now," Rothstein said. "Kim will help us grow audiences and donor bases."

Graydon Royce • 612-673-7299