More than 750 tickets were sold for a performance by Jay Leno at the Knox Memorial on August 23, even before the Mount Vernon Arts Consortium (MVAC) began a marketing campaign, Executive Director Martin Booker informed the Knox County Board of Commissioners on June 12.
According to a video of the commissioners' meeting, Booker said that 80% of the ticket sales for Leno's performance came from within Knox County. He noted that this was unprecedented and indicated that with the right artist, it makes the county feel special. Fellow comedian Brian Regan, known for his family-friendly performances, sold approximately 800 tickets.
Booker also said in the video that MVAC has sold 65,674 tickets worth $1.45 million over the past four years. More than 41% of attendees come from outside the county. MVAC manages both the Knox Memorial and Ariel-Foundation Park, hosting 235 productions and employing staff for 566 days.
"About 30% of our budget goes back into the community. So we only hire local businesses back to the venues, individuals," Booker said.
In further comments captured in the video, Booker mentioned that MTVarts will bring its production of "9 to 5 The Musical" to the Woodward Opera House and "The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition" to Knox Memorial. Ricky Skaggs is set to perform with Kentucky Thunder on June 21 at Ariel-Foundation Park as part of an annual Summer Kickoff event. Additionally, Booker announced that "A Few Good Men" will be presented at Knox Memorial from November 14 to 16 in celebration of its centennial anniversary.
Booker highlighted that confusion and conflict among various arts organizations in the community have been resolved through quarterly meetings with partners in MVAC. These partners include Ariel-Foundation Park, Community Concert Association, Experience Mount Vernon, KNOX Memorial, Arts Consortium, MTVarts, Mount Vernon Players, and Woodward Opera House.
