Impacts and Outcomes.
After school program demand
The demand is there for our Arts After School program–currently we have a waitlist, and that’s just for students in grades 3-5. By expanding our space and our services, we can serve more students.
In the ‘21-22 school year, we had capacity for 12-15 students per Arts After School session, with 30 sessions per school year. Following our planned renovation, we would have capacity to serve 56 students per school year.
Arts After School classes are just $8/day and include arts education, a snack, and transportation to and from the Arts Center. We would never turn a student away due to finances. Partial or full scholarships are available to every student.
More Space = More Classes
Our plan is to make the following classes available:
- Ceramics
- Watercolor
- Acrylic
- Sewing
- Cooking
- Writing
- Theatre
- Spray Painting
- And more!
Reduced Crime
Many people think about vacant buildings and crime as two separate problems. But research has shown they are connected. Neglected buildings provide cover for activities such as vandalism and drug dealing, while simultaneously making residents feel unsafe and decreasing the value of surrounding properties.
Improved Community
Purchasing an adjacent building is a one-time opportunity and is especially attractive as it includes a green space. If the Wonder Bar is not acquired by The Arts Center, it may be purchased and returned to an active bar site. With the renovated Eagles Building, a bar transformed into an active creative space is the community improvement project this corner of downtown needs.
Expanded Services
Although the construction will focus on kids, by moving all youth programming to this new building, we will have the opportunity to convert our current youth area into a multi-purpose space for all community members.
