Beacon, Dia foundation make a perfect match

By Maeleeke Lavan
Poughkeepsie Journal

''If you look back a little in history, the Hudson Valley was always an attractive place for art,'' Michael Govan, Dia's director, said. ''Artists have always been drawn to its natural beauty.''

Widely known is the story of how Govan first saw the former Nabisco plant while piloting a private plane, but it wasn't until sometime later that he knew Dia belonged there.

When Govan walked into the 74-year-old building for the first time, it was literally a matter of minutes before he understood the building was destined to house one of the art foundation's permanent collections.

''It's hard to just pick a location,'' Govan said. ''The buildings Dia requires are few and far between to try and find, but when I walked in the building, I realized it was extraordinary.''

Its size, gritty industrial character and structure were a perfect match for some of Dia's larger installations.

Locally, officials had an idea of the amazing impact the internationally known arts institution could have. But as work on the building progressed, the true potential became clear.

Like a budding romance, the tentative connection between Dia and local officials -- who were relatively unfamiliar with one another at first -- blossomed into a relationship that should prove beneficial for both.

The city's Main Street had been lagging for years and was just beginning to show signs of life when Dia announced its intention to settle in Beacon.

''We were moving along, progressing slowly and coming back to life,'' Mayor Clara Lou Gould said. ''When the announcement was made about Dia, it kicked into high gear.

Gould said her office began to get phone calls from people -- many with no connection to the art world -- interested in moving to ''a beautiful area where an art museum was coming.''

As word spread and all entities became familiar with one another, it was clear that Dia wanted to be in a community with potential, and the community in turn would do all it could to welcome a new partner.

Diverse economy

Dutchess County Executive William Steinhaus was one of many who helped sell Beacon and the county to its potential client. The idea of making the county's economy as diverse as possible, including through arts and tourism, will ultimately benefit residents, he said.

''I really wanted to diversify the county and make our business center multi-dimensional,'' Steinhaus said. ''Dia meets that vision of a multi-dimensional economy.''

Adding to the visible layers of opportunity was the chance for Dia to partner with the Beacon school district.

In 2002, Dia started a pilot program with Beacon High School students to teach them about contemporary art.

That program has grown into an interactive and ongoing relationship with the school district.

''They've really been a good community member and they've done that from the start,'' Gould said. ''It isn't that they're coming in and asking for anything; they're working with the community ...''