04 Oct An Exciting Look Forward, ArtsQuest Formally Announces its New Cultural Center and Founding Campaign Partners
Now is the time to get involved and play an integral role in the expansion of the arts in education, community and economy.
Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA., October 4, 2024 – Today, ArtsQuest formally announces its new Cultural Center along with Founding Campaign Partners at a special event held in the Crayola Gallery at the Banana Factory.
The new Cultural Center, a 5-story 78,500 SF state-of-the-art visual, performing arts and educational hub will provide new and expanded arts-based programming for all ages including a Communications Pathway partnership with the Bethlehem Area School District, an Air Products Artist 3-D Makerspace, a 125-seat black box comedy theater, art educator lab, additional artist studios and classrooms including designated sensory spaces, modern gallery space, dedicated meeting and hospitality venues and more.
Through tremendous public, private and individual support, ArtsQuest has reached approximately 80% of its $32 million goal to build the new Cultural Center. “Now is the time to make a difference that will have a lasting impact on the community in which we live, work and play,” commented Kassie Hilgert, ArtsQuest President and CEO. “This expansion of the arts will play a key role within our education system, our diverse community and the local and regional economy. Your donation may also benefit from potential tax credits and other incentives.”
“As community members we have an opportunity to be part of something bigger than ourselves,” commented Gregg Feinberg, Co-Chair of ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Campaign. By getting involved and supporting the new Cultural Center, we will create enhanced artistic, educational and cultural experiences for all who seek it.”
At today’s event, special recognition is being given to Founding Partners of the Cultural Center of which include (in alphabetical order):
- Air Products
- Boyle Construction
- Capital Blue Cross
- C.F. Martin & Co.
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Crayola
- Fulton Bank
- Northampton County
- PNC Foundation
- PPL Foundation
The Banana Factory is slated to begin deconstruction in the first quarter of 2025, followed by the first ‘shovel-in-the-ground.’ Once doors open to the public, ArtsQuest predicts an increase in the number of area youth served alone from 5,000 to 10,000 through free arts-based educational programs with 11 classrooms compared to the five that are currently located inside the Banana Factory.
The new Cultural Center will increase subsidized artist studio space by 20% from 30 (the current number in the Banana Factory) to 36 and will offer increased and modernized gallery space for local, regional and national artists to showcase their work.
It will also serve as a community space where one can access art seven days a week, free of charge, regardless of socio-economic background and scholarships are available to individuals of all ages for classes and camps that require a fee.
Over the past year, ArtsQuest has hosted (and will continue to do so) quarterly public community sessions to inform and educate the public about the new Cultural Center, the economic boost it will bring to Bethlehem’s SouthSide and why a new building is needed.
During the construction phase, visual arts classes and camps will continue as planned, thanks to the following confirmed partners that we are grateful to have: The Bethlehem Area School District (BASD), Bethlehem Area Public Library (BAPL), Moravian University, Lafayette College and more to be announced in 2025. Additionally, ArtsQuest will relocate some of its visual arts classes to various buildings within its campus such as at the ArtsQuest Center and the Bethlehem Visitor Center.
Visit reimaginethat.artsquest.org to find out the most up-to-date information on the Cultural Center along with Frequently Asked Questions. To learn more about donating or how to get involved, email Selena Lavonier, Executive Director, ArtsQuest Foundation at slavonier@artsquest.org.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which nearly 50% are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.