FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Paula Danoff, [email protected]
(847) 475-5300, ext.206
A May 2015 Relocation To 1717 Central Street Is Planned For Evanston’s Celebrated Center For Arts & Culture
EVANSTON, IL (February 13, 2015) - The Evanston Art Center will officially break ground on its newly acquired campus on Thursday, February 26 at 1:00 PM. The 501(c)(3) organization is relocating from its current facility at the former Harley-Clarke Mansion at 2603 Sheridan Road, their home since 1966, and the Noyes Cultural Arts Center Studios, into the 20,000 sq. ft. building at 1717 Central Street, Evanston, IL. The former office building will serve as its new headquarters after a complete renovation is finished in early May.
The “See the Bigger Picture” campaign has been launched to raise the funds necessary to renovate and outfit this new space. This $2.5 million capital campaign, which has successfully collected over $1,800,000 to date, will position the Art Center to effectively serve a more diverse audience through new arts and cultural programming while building on the successes and traditions of its past.
1717 Central Street will be transformed into the place where creativity meets community. The new facility will be innovative in both its design and multi-disciplinary offerings, which will include programming and educational activities in the areas of culinary arts, design, digital fabrication, film, music and a broad array of visual arts in addition to expanded gallery spaces. The Art Center’s four main program focus areas will be creative youth development, lifelong learning, professional development, and community engagement and partnerships. Special amenities such as a coffee shop called the “Art Bar,” will also be part of the exciting new space.
Today, the Evanston Art Center offers extensive and innovative instruction in broad areas of artistic endeavor to individuals from over 80 zip codes through studio art classes for all ages, exhibitions, interactive arts activities, public lectures and free youth outreach activities, all of which are designed to engage and enrich the individual and the community. The expanded activities are expected to draw additional visitors to the east Central Street corridor, which will undoubtedly contribute positively to the vitality of the area.
Podolsky|Circle CORFAC International principals Randy D. Podolsky and Adam J. Tarantur, CCIM, headed the advisory team for the strategic relocation project, and have also been named as Owners Representatives for the renovation project. Podolsky|Circle, in conjunction with Lebar Construction Management, have been selected to provide construction management services to Evanston Art Center. The Dobbins Group has been selected as the design-build contractor and financing has been provided by First Bank & Trust and other individuals.
The mission of the Evanston Art Center, which was founded in Evanston in 1929, is to foster the appreciation and expression of the arts among diverse audiences. The Art Center offers extensive and innovative instruction in broad areas of artistic endeavor through classes, exhibitions, interactive arts activities, and community outreach initiatives.
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