More change coming
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Emporia Arts Council’s fundraising goal has been met, and soon there will be a big change to the downtown area as construction on Emporia’s new arts center begins.
The $2.8 million goal was met with the help of an anonymous $75,000 challenge grant in the campaign’s final weeks, but it took the time, money and effort of many generous people and organizations to make it possible to reach the ultimate goal. In just the last month the EAC has received more than 110 gifts and pledges ranging from $10 to $5,000.
The new arts center promises to be yet another Emporia treasure, a downtown centerpiece for artistic and cultural events that will work in conjunction with the Granada Theatre to provide education and entertainment for all. In the year since the Granada reopened, it has become the venue of choice for concerts, lectures, meetings and more, and this role in the community will be greatly enhanced when the new arts center is up and running.
Just like the Granada, whose renovation was a long process, the campaign for the arts center has been a labor of love for those who took part. Unlike a private business that can draw profits, the EAC is a community organization that relies on the generosity of community members to continue to operate.
That so many Emporians gave so much for the cause speaks volumes about the amount of pride people take in their community.
That pride will translate into years of enjoyment for future visitors to the soon-to-be-realized arts center.
Russ Morgan
Reporter
b3bill (anonymous) says...
Is the Emporia Arts Council using only Emporia contractors/builders and only materials sold by Emporia businesses for their new building?
September 22, 2009 at 9:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )