The Tangipahoa Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau (Tangi CVB) recently donated $100,000 to the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts in order to ensure that the Southeastern-owned theatre will continue to bring world-class performers to Hammond.
According to Roy Blackwood, interim director of the Columbia Theatre, the Tangi CVB had been discussing raising the amount of their annual donation to the Columbia Theatre since last summer.
“Their Board of Directors has been keenly aware of declining State of Louisiana budgets and how those dwindling funds have negatively affected operations at Columbia Theatre,” said Blackwood.
Late in the fall semester, Blackwood received a call from Betty Stewart, director of the Tangi CVB, informing him that the Tangipahoa Parish Tourism Board had met and decided to gift the theatre with the $100,000.  
“I was totally shocked. Thrilled, but shocked beyond belief,” said Blackwood. “It was a significant gesture of support for the mission of the Columbia Theatre and particularly an endorsement for how Columbia Theatre is fulfilling its mission and that of Southeastern.”
Once informed of the gift, the Columbia Theatre created a plan for how the money is to be spent. The Tourism Board approved the Columbia Theatre’s proposal, which stated that the money will be expended at the sole discretion of Columbia’s interim director Blackwood with the goals of ensuring that critical technology needs are kept current and aiding in the recruitment of more high quality acts to be presented on Columbia’s stage.
“For several years the Columbia’s director did not attend the American Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) conference in New York or other presenters’ conferences due to lack of travel funds, missing many opportunities to make critical contacts with wonderful performances and agents. Now I can do that,” said Blackwood. “For years, without a marketing director, Columbia did not have a real marketing plan. Now we can do that.”
Blackwood feels that the Tangi CVB have placed tremendous confidence in him as director of the Columbia Theatre to ensure that the theatre provides the highest quality performances to the people of Tangipahoa Parish.
“We are incredibly proud of the Columbia,” said Carla Tate, head of marketing for the Tangi CVB, in a recent university press release. “It is an important asset that can bring more tourists to experience the great things the theatre itself can offer, but also give the opportunity for visitors to spend time in Hammond and the greater Tangipahoa area. We hope that this investment enables the Columbia to continue to be a strong presence in the parish for culture and arts.”
According to Blackwood, ticket sales have been dwindling due to the weak economy, raising questions among patrons about the theatre’s presence in the community.
“Investments such as this from the Tourism Commission not only provide much needed support of our programming but send a message to other possible donors that not only are we providing an extremely valuable entertainment option not available elsewhere, but also sending a clear message of the essential need for Columbia Theatre to continue to exist,” said Blackwood.  
All donations to Southeastern Louisiana University are processed through the Office of University Advancement. The donation from the Tangi CVB will follow standard university policy, but the funds have been allocated in a separate, dedicated Columbia account.
For additional information on the Columbia Theatre, visit www.columbiatheatre.org. For additional information on the Tangipahoa Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau, visit www.tangi-cvb.org.