VISION
To transform the Illinois Theater building into a multi-purpose civic center with performing arts facilities, creating a cultural hub and economic catalyst for our community
In furtherance of its quest to create a multipurpose civic center with performing arts capabilities, the Jacksonville Center for the Arts Board has recently signed an exclusive option to purchase the historic Illinois Theater from owners Mark and Emily Hughes.
“The Illinois Theater is iconic. It is historic. It is a jewel in the crown of the Square,” said Larry Kuster, JCA board president. “The JCA vision, besides restoring the building, is about creating and sustaining a hub to help fill an identified amenities gap in our community. The vision is to attract people to come here not only for entertainment, but to see our community as a great place to live and work. The vision is to build a state-of-the-art civic center with live streaming capability to bring events from around the world to our doorstep.”
The JCA board, having recently completed a use and financial sustainability analysis, has taken the path of restoration and repurposing a well-known venue rather than pursuing new construction based upon feedback received during community engagement sessions. The in-depth study, supplemented by surveys and extensive interviews with potential users, indicates that the community can sustain a civic center. Further, it shows that such a project will support the local economy, building upon the ongoing community renaissance, and strengthen Jacksonville’s appeal as both a destination for visitors and an attractive home for businesses and their employees, according to the JCA Board.
“The Illinois Theater is iconic. It is historic. It is a jewel in the crown of the Square,” said Larry Kuster, JCA board president. “The JCA vision, besides restoring the building, is about creating and sustaining a hub to help fill an identified amenities gap in our community. The vision is to attract people to come here not only for entertainment, but to see our community as a great place to live and work. The vision is to build a state-of-the-art civic center with live streaming capability to bring events from around the world to our doorstep.”
The JCA board, having recently completed a use and financial sustainability analysis, has taken the path of restoration and repurposing a well-known venue rather than pursuing new construction based upon feedback received during community engagement sessions. The in-depth study, supplemented by surveys and extensive interviews with potential users, indicates that the community can sustain a civic center. Further, it shows that such a project will support the local economy, building upon the ongoing community renaissance, and strengthen Jacksonville’s appeal as both a destination for visitors and an attractive home for businesses and their employees, according to the JCA Board.
A recent financial and utilization study shows
• Jacksonville needs a civic center
• Jacksonville can sustain a civic center
• The civic center will help support the economy
• The civic center is an affordable and necessary investment in our city’s future
• Jacksonville needs a civic center
• Jacksonville can sustain a civic center
• The civic center will help support the economy
• The civic center is an affordable and necessary investment in our city’s future
The board contracted with AMS planning and Research, a consulting firm committed to helping communities thrive through the arts. AMS has successfully supported more than 1,300 organizations, guided over $16 billion in arts facilities, and gained widespread recognition for our work with arts endeavors large and small.
The results of the study were extremely positive, confirming a facility is obtainable and desirable in our community.
View their report at the link below.
The results of the study were extremely positive, confirming a facility is obtainable and desirable in our community.
View their report at the link below.
| jca_study_from_ams_2.pdf |
The Jacksonville Center for the Arts board has contracted with Graham & Hyde Architects, Inc. to explore building updates and reimaginings to bring back the building to it's original splendor. This includes a flexible auditorium, meeting spaces, office, and back-of-house spaces to create a functional and inspiring space for our community. Learn more about Graham & Hyde here.
View an initial floorplan at the link below. Note: this is preliminary exploratory study, and not a final plan.
View an initial floorplan at the link below. Note: this is preliminary exploratory study, and not a final plan.
| 1505-04_-_cfa_-_it_project_floor_plan.pdf |
In one sentence, “The Arts Mean Business!”
Yes, the Arts are fun, the Arts are life….but few people realize that a thriving Arts community makes a huge economic impact on a community.
A study recently commissioned by the Jacksonville Center for the Arts finds that the Arts impacts our community to the tune of $1.4 million annually.
Yes, the Arts do mean BUSINESS…
economic growth, an investment in not only the cultural and educational well-being of a community but in the town’s economic health.
Yes, the Arts are fun, the Arts are life….but few people realize that a thriving Arts community makes a huge economic impact on a community.
A study recently commissioned by the Jacksonville Center for the Arts finds that the Arts impacts our community to the tune of $1.4 million annually.
Yes, the Arts do mean BUSINESS…
economic growth, an investment in not only the cultural and educational well-being of a community but in the town’s economic health.
