Emporia Arts Council announces public campaign for new arts center
More than half of $2.6 million goal already met in "quiet campaign"
By Scott Rochat
Monday, July 16, 2007
The Emporia Arts Council plans to build a new arts center and is more than halfway to its $2.6 million goal.
The arts council made the fund-raising campaign public today. The $1,430,000 that has been raised so far includes a $330,000 challenge grant from the Oklahoma-based Mabee Foundation, the same non-profit that once helped fund the Granada Theatre's restoration. To get the grant, the rest of the money must be raised by April 1.
If the fund-raising succeeds, the new arts center would be located just north of the Granada, in the building currently occupied by Dayton's Hobbies & Crafts and Tallgrass Art & Frame. Both businesses would relocate elsewhere in town.
"What's really exciting is we'll be maximizing the possibilities," said Melissa Windsor, director of the Emporia Arts Council. "Located next to the Granada, we have the opportunity to do many things together."
The project revives a long-held dream of the local arts community to create an arts and entertainment district. A facilities study first suggested the need for a new arts council building about six or seven years ago.
"It just enhances downtown Emporia," Windsor said. "It enhances the community's businesses and restaurants as well as providing something for the public to enjoy."
The arts council began its "quiet campaign" for funds about a year and a half ago.
The two-story 18,000 square-foot arts center would include gallery space, a full-service kitchen, larger classrooms, a clay studio, theater space and a scene shop.Windsor said it could be three years before the arts council is in the new building.
No plans have been announced for the existing building at 618 Mechanic, which is city-owned. Windsor estimated its size at around 3,000 square feet.
siamesefred (anonymous) says...
I can't see that anyone is asking for tax money to fund this project. Those who want to see the project succeed will contribute, just as they did for the Granada, Little Train and Corner House.
And does it really matter how the owners of the building will profit? That's why real estate is such a good investment. Buy property then hang onto it until someone wants it badly enough to make it worth selling. That's good old capitalism at work.
I'm not an arts council member and often don't attend their events. But I have tried to enroll my child in a class (it was canceled for lack of enrollment). And I've always thought an arts center was a good idea for Emporia. Just look at what Wamego's been able to do with The Columbian. Not only is it used for gallery space and classes, but the upstairs room, complete with stage, brings in revenue when it's rented for wedding receptions and other functions. What a great idea.
July 16, 2007 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Want to bet on whether Granada and Arts Council will have a hand out for tax support within 5 years?
July 16, 2007 at 9:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sharmon1ks (anonymous) says...
Congratulations to the arts council for a great start. Keep up the good work and don't let the C.A.V.E. people slow you down (Citizens Against Virtually Everything).
What a great resource and asset for the heart of our community. I look forward to seeing more about this project and hope you exceed your goal.
July 24, 2007 at 6:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )