Fundraising continues for the new Emporia Arts Council building, to be located just north of the Granada Theatre, and things have been going well, according to Executive Director Melissa Windsor.
“We have about $490,000 left to raise,” Windsor said, out of an expected cost of $2.6 million for the project. “Of course, the last part is always a little more challenging, but it feels really good, how things have been going. I know we have a lot of support in the community and from the surrounding area.”
Windsor said she hopes the fundraising portion of the project will be completed by the end of the year. “That’s not entirely up to me when it gets finished, but we’re certainly working toward that goal, and then we hope to start construction in the spring.”
The new building will be taking the place of the council’s current location at 618 Mechanic St. It will be located where Dayton’s Toy and Hobby Shop and Tallgrass Art and Frame shop operated until recently. The arts council also has a contract to purchase an unoccupied building at 815 Commercial St., just south of Spellman’s Plumbing.
The fundraising campaign was given a major boost with a $330,000 challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation of Tulsa. In addition, the council has received challenge gifts and challenge grants. “We’ve participated in those and met those challenges, and other than that it’s been an individual one-on-one fundraising and grant-writing campaign,” Windsor said.
Plans for the new building were unveiled in early August. According to Windsor and Steve Bowling, architect for the project, the building will be a fitting addition to the planned downtown arts section, and will make up for the many shortcomings of the council’s current location, including handicapped accessibility and room for the council’s many classes and activities.
The new building is to include a 130-seat theater for performances, along with access to the Granada Theatre. Also included will be a reception area, a retail store, a gallery and gallery work room, along with a kitchen and pantry. The second floor will have a conference room, art studios, a library, a gallery for students and a ceramics work area with eight wheels, a kiln and glazing equipment.
“It’s really exciting,” Windsor said. “We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from the community and from people who’ve seen the building and want to know when we’re going to be there.”