FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2007
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
The King Arts Complex: Kay Wiebell – 614.645.0630; kwiebell@kingartscomplex.com
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves $150,000 for King Arts Complex
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $150,000 at its quarterly meeting today for the King Arts Complex.
The King Arts Complex is a multidisciplinary community arts facility, housing a 444-seat theater; dance, music and visual art classrooms; an auditorium; administrative offices; and a gallery. Several projects will be completed with the $150,000 appropriation, the largest of which will be the Goree Island interactive display. This exhibit will include a historical recreation of the corridor and portal used by slaves as they boarded slave ships for their passage across the Atlantic. The Goree Island exhibit will complement the award-winning Middle Passage exhibit previously installed at the facility. Other facility improvements projects include replacement of the sidewalk outside the theater; replacement of fire pump system components; installation of a new sump pump, water guards, water proofing treatment and mold prevention; and lighting and curtain upgrades for the theater.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows the King Arts Complex to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 699 of the 126th General Assembly. Franklin County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bill include Senators David Goodman, Ray Miller and Steve Stivers; Representatives Joyce Beatty, Larry Flowers, Jim Hughes, Jim McGregor, Dan Stewart, and Larry Wolpert; and former Representatives Mike Mitchell, Linda Reidelbach and Geoffrey Smith.
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.
