December 14, 2020 – At the city council meeting this evening, the Mason City Council passed a unanimous resolution in support of the efforts and vision of the Mason Arts Council, forging the path for future cooperation and partnership to bring the Mason Regional Arts Facility to Mason, Ohio.
The Mason Arts Council, a non-profit organization founded in 2019 with the focus of bringing the arts community together and enhancing opportunities for all citizens to experience the arts, would raise private capital to pay for the building of the facility (no use of local taxes), and hopes to partner with the City of Mason on resources and additional opportunities for art-related events.
A collaboration between the City of Mason and MAC would bring the most comprehensive, world-class arts facility to the region, making Mason an arts and cultural destination, attracting regional and national talent. Mason tourism would increase, stimulating the growth of downtown businesses, and leading to more urban living development.
Wonderful arts opportunities would be available for all, no matter the skill level, and a heavy emphasis would be placed on those with special needs. Additionally, the Mason Arts Council is committed to partnering with Mason City Schools and other area schools to enhance their arts education programs. Not only would the arts curriculum be extensive, but this new facility would offer the latest in technological advancements.
“We are so excited our resolution was accepted by the City of Mason and we look forward to calling Mason the home for the Regional Center for the Arts,” stated Thomas Huff, the President of the Mason Arts Council. “This facility would be a focal point of the city – a destination to bring more business to local restaurants and shops and stimulate additional downtown development. A place to showcase the many cultures within our community. A place for children to learn, masters to shine, and audiences to be wowed!”
The Mason Regional Center for the Arts would be built in two phases, beginning with the Center for the Performing Arts. Welcoming patrons with an entry canopy and a large lobby, the facility would consist of a 1,000-seat theatre, ticket offices, a scene shop and workroom, a green room, a large rehearsal room, performers dressing rooms, restrooms, a beverage bar and concessions, a kitchen, and a smaller 400-seat theatre with a separate entrance. The main theatre would accommodate large-scale productions and acts, while the smaller theatre could be utilized for corporate events and entertainment. Receiving and security offices, prop storage, board rooms, administrative offices, a music library, instrument storage, and a large community event room would also be part of phase one.
Phase two of the build would be the Center for the Visual Arts adjacent to the Center for the Performing Arts. A beautiful recreation area with outdoor sculptures would welcome visitors as they approach the building. The main, skylit hallway would feature member paintings and photography. Other features in the Visual Arts Center would be: art and photo galleries, a large art gallery for traveling exhibitions, a dance and ballet studio, sculpture, painting and ceramics studios, a state-or-the-art production studio, a TV control room, a radio studio and control room, an actors instruction studio, computer labs, drawing and print making studios, and general classrooms for instruction.
“We truly appreciate the dedication of the Mason City Council to our city and their support of the arts. We hope to continue to work together to make the Mason Regional Arts Center a reality,” Thomas Huff added.
