Preserving Merriweather: The Columbia Mom Sits Down with Ian Kennedy of MACC

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ian Kennedy, the Executive Director at Merriweather Arts and Culture Center . Ian has been a resident of Columbia for the past 30 years and has witnessed the growth and development of this vibrant community. Let's dive into our discussion of his journey and how he became a driving force in preserving the iconic Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Tell me about yourself.

It all started back in 1992 when I moved to Columbia as a sophomore in high school. I had grown up in Crofton but was miserable there. I knew Columbia, on the other hand, was built around values like openness, community, diversity, and culture. I also knew a about the mall and Merriweather. On my first day at Hammond High School, I remember feeling shy and out of place at first, but I was invited to sit with my now-friend Megan and others and they made me feel welcome. By the time I was a senior at Hammond, I was on stage playing Lean on Me at graduation.

So, what led you to become involved in the efforts to save Merriweather Post Pavilion?

Well, it all started during the summer between my first and second years of graduate school. I interned for a county councilmember and became aware of The Rouse Company's plans for the CRESCENT, which included plans for building several new apartment buildings. That's when my friend Justin and I began questioning the future of Merriweather. The venue was facing tough times, with fewer shows and increased competition from other venues. We started sending emails, asking questions, and raising awareness.

It's impressive how you took the initiative to address the situation. So, when did the movement to save Merriweather gain momentum?

The turning point was a hearing on July 23, 2003, which coincidentally happened to be my 26th birthday. The night before that, my band was playing a gig at Sonomas. On my way back home, I realized that we needed to make our cause official. So, we made the announcement that we were formally coming out as "Save Merriweather!" The response was incredible. We started building a base of support, getting media attention, printing t-shirts and stickers, and even raising funds. It was a true grassroots campaign that resonated with people who loved Merriweather. It was also during this time that I was living near  Lake Elkhorn, coincidentally with Megan as my roommate. I would walk my dog and bike around thinking, wow, Columbia is pretty amazing! I really started to fall in love with Columbia.

It's inspiring to see how a passionate community can rally together for a cause. So, what were the key milestones in the process of preserving Merriweather?

After years of back and forth, meetings, and negotiations, The Rouse Company finally agreed to keep Merriweather. It was a significant victory, but there were still many steps to take. The involvement of Ken Ulman, who was on the council at the time, played a crucial role behind the scenes, applying pressure for the preservation of the venue. In 2004, The Rouse Company replaced ClearChannel (now Live Nation) with IMP (9:30 Club) as the operator, resulting in a much better season. But the process was far from over.

It sounds like a long and challenging journey. How did the Downtown Columbia Master Plan come into play?

In 2007, I started working for Ken Ulman as his Deputy Chief of Staff. We believed that Merriweather should be the cultural centerpiece of Columbia, and that vision was incorporated into the Downtown Columbia Master Plan. The plan had three key components: (1) renovating Merriweather, (2) creating cultural ecosystems around it, and (3) eventually transferring ownership to a non-profit organization. In 2013, although I was no longer working for Ken, I joined the board of the new non-profit organization created to strengthen the local arts ecosystem. However, without owning Merriweather, we faced funding challenges.

It's remarkable how the community's desire for the transfer of ownership was so strong. What were the major hurdles you faced during the negotiation process?

Negotiating the transfer of ownership was a complex process that took a lot of time and effort. In 2016, Brad, a colleague of mine, even made a commitment not to shave until we had a full agreement. It took us another year of negotiations to reach a final agreement, which involved not only the transfer of ownership but also intellectual property rights, parking arrangements, and more. We managed to secure an initial grant in 2014 to contribute to the construction project and cover legal expenses.

That must have been a challenging and stressful period for you. How did the final agreement come about?

2016 was indeed the most stressful year of my life. We faced numerous obstacles and setbacks. The County had to vote on the council of legislation within a specific timeframe, and we initially didn't have enough votes. We met with Calvin Ball, who asked us to explain why this mattered. His support led to the passage of some amendments that satisfied Howard Hughes, the developer. Three weeks later, we sat down with lawyers to finalize the agreement.

It sounds like an intense rollercoaster ride. After the agreement, what were the subsequent steps in preserving Merriweather?

On December 1st, 2016, we held a key ceremony, and I  finally shaved my beard. In 2017, as Merriweather celebrated its 50th anniversary, we focused on programming and introduced movie nights and arts programming. We also continued with the renovations, which totaled nearly $60 million once all was said and done. However, in January 2018, the roof collapsed after my mom had passed away two months prior, adding another hurdle to overcome. We managed to fix the roof in time for the 2019 season,.

It seems like there were always new challenges to face. How did you adapt to the unique circumstances of the pandemic?

In 2020, we were fully prepared to open and offer several programs and events. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit, and we had to rethink our approach. We saw our role as creating experiences that the traditional concert operator may have overlooked. We catered to different demographics, including children, individuals looking for more affordable options, and those seeking unique cultural experiences.

Your dedication to creating inclusive and diverse experiences is truly admirable. So, what drives you in your role at Merriweather Post Pavilion?

At the heart of it all, I love going to shows and experiencing that sense of immersion and unity among thousands of people. It's like a shared consciousness where all our differences fade away. My job is to bring together as many ingredients as possible and hope that magic happens. Sometimes it does, and that's why people are willing to purchase concert tickets or follow their favorite bands passionately. It's all about creating unforgettable experiences.

It was a privilege to sit down with Ian and learn about his incredible journey and his pivotal role in saving Merriweather. His dedication to his community and his passion for creating unforgettable experiences at the venue is truly inspiring. Ian's unwavering love for music and the transformative power of live performances continues to drive him in his role at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Through his efforts, Columbia's cultural centerpiece thrives, uniting people and creating magical moments. Ian’s story is a testament to the impact that one passionate individual can make in preserving and shaping the cultural landscape of a community.