Overview

Arts United requests $6 million to advance Arts Campus Fort Wayne, a state-designated cultural district, by modernizing and expanding the Arts United Center, an iconic community theatre designed by worldfamous architect Louis Kahn. The project will enhance the accessibility and functionality of the Arts United Center on behalf of local and regional performing arts organizations and their audiences. The capital investment in a new HVAC system directly responds to the COVID-19 emergency which negatively impacted performing arts venues like the AUC. This project supports the financial recovery of arts and culture nonprofits that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 closures of public spaces and social distancing requirements which led to audience and revenue reductions of an average of 70% in 2020 and 2021. Schematic design is currently in process, with design development and construction documents completed in 2023. Closing on financing is planned for Q1 2024 with construction beginning in Q2 of 2024. Project completion is anticipated by Q3 2026. Funding sources include $9 million local public funding, $6 million READI, $12,023,639 private philanthropy, and $3,212,571 in PNC financing for a total project budget of $30,236,210. Through the extensive modernization of the Arts United Center and newly created access to rehearsal and workshop spaces, Arts United will broaden its reach and deepen its community impact while also engaging new performing groups and audiences.