FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 27, 2007

Contact:

Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov

ARTS/West Performing Arts Center: Mayor Richard B. Abel – 740.592.3338; mknight@ci.athens.oh.us

Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves $25,000 for ARTS/West Performing Arts Center

Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission recently approved $25,000 for the ARTS/West Performing Arts Center, located in Athens County.

ARTS/West Performing Arts Center provides a 200-seat performance space and rehearsal space for a variety of theater and performing arts groups in the City of Athens, as well as classroom space for individual artists and community meeting rooms. The state appropriation will be used to provide sidewalks, ramps, and entrance modifications for general public access and for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows ARTS/West Performing Arts Center to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 699 of the 126^th General Assembly. Athens County members of the 126^th General Assembly who voted in favor of the bill include Senator Joy Padgett and Representative Jimmy Stewart.

The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission is a state agency that helps enhance the quality of life for Ohioans by improving the state’s cultural facilities. Since 1988, the Commission has disbursed nearly $400 million of capital funds appropriated by the legislature and Governor for facility improvement projects at non-profit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues.

The Commission partners with non-profit groups and local governments on nearly 250 projects in 65 of Ohio’s 88 counties. For more information on the Commission, visit www.culture.ohio.gov.

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