FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2007
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
The Works: Aaron Keirns – 740.349.9277 Ext. 26; aaronkeirns@attheworks.org
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves $75,000 for The Works
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $75,000 at its quarterly meeting today for The Works: The Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology, located in Newark.
The Works is a center of discovery with programs focusing on science, history, art, and technology. The museum will utilize the $75,000 state appropriation to help fund interior renovations and the construction of an interactive exhibit and lab focused on electricity and math. This newest lab will complement others offering hands-on lessons in applied science. The funds bring the state’s total investment in the facility to $1.075 million. A prior improvement project, to which the state contributed $1 million, was completed in 1999 and included exhibits, interior rehabilitation, and an addition to the Scheidler Machine Works building, now called Museum Works.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows The Works to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 699 of the 126th General Assembly. Licking County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bill include Senator Tim Schaeffer and Representatives Dan Dodd and Jay Hottinger.
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.
