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GREENSBORO - Community development group Action Greensboro served food for thought along with lunch Monday to 80 local arts advocates.


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"If money were no object," moderator Ken Mayer asked, "what would you do to enhance Greensboro's position as it relates to art, culture and entertainment?"


The group gathered at Kress Terrace offered ideas that included refurbishing War Memorial Auditorium in the Greensboro Coliseum complex, building a downtown performance venue and finishing the International Civil Rights Center & Museum.


Several also advocated financing school arts programs, committing tax money to the arts, creating a multicultural festival, increasing collaboration among arts organizations and improving marketing of their offerings.


Ideas will become study fodder for a new Action Greensboro task force on arts, culture and entertainment, said Chairwoman Meg Sternberg, who owns a downtown art and furniture gallery.


She solicited task force members from those attending Monday's meeting. These volunteers will create a plan that considers issues such as:


* How do we increase participation in arts and culture?


* How can we build upon our community's culture and diversity?


* What would have the greatest economic impact?


Mayer, an architect who serves on Action Greensboro's board, asked a panel of arts, downtown and city leaders to choose an asset that can elevate Greensboro's status.


Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Greensboro Symphony Orchestra music director, and Matt Brown, Greensboro Coliseum director, want to upgrade War Memorial Auditorium.


When the orchestra brings in guest artists to perform there, it looks shabby compared with the city's attractive downtown, restaurants and hotels, Sitkovetsky said.


"We need to have a quality venue to experience the great music we bring you," Sitkovetsky said.


Anthony Wade, director of the city's Human Relations Department, favored finishing the Civil Rights Museum and creating a multicultural festival.


With more than 100 ethnic groups and nationalities, Greensboro "can use the arts to elevate our awareness of each other," Wade said.


Those gathered cited other efforts underway to attract more attention to local arts and culture.


The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, for example, has been surveying residents on their participation in the arts.


The council also is creating a public art master plan.


A new UNCG program, Entrepreneurial Innovation in the Arts, brings in speakers to discuss how to develop and promote the arts.


And a new annual festival, ArtBeat (formerly called Mayfest), from April 27-May 4 will showcase the city's visual and performing arts and encourage people to sample more of them.

Contact Dawn DeCwikiel-Kane at 373-5204 or dawn.kane@news-record.com