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ART CENTRAL GROWING

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Vivian Moon View Drop Down
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    Posted: Jul 20 2014 at 1:19pm

Posted: 10:00 a.m. Sunday, July 20, 2014

MIDDLETOWN

Art Central Foundation’s roots growing

By Michael D. Pitman

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN —

The Art Central Foundation is planting its roots even further into downtown Middletown a year after the organization took ownership of the building it once rented.

Two state grants — one from the state and one from the Ohio Arts Council — are enabling the arts organization to grow its footprint around the city and expand its student base for arts workshops.

“Everything is really set up for the creation of art,” said Sue Wittman, president of the Art Central Foundation. “We’ve been able to design it that way instead of a blank, empty room.”

A blank, empty room is what the Art Central Foundation had in the building during is summer arts classes last year. They took ownership of the building in May 2013 and a few weeks later had students creating art.

The Art Central Foundation first occupied space in the building in 2008 but moved out when the city took ownership in an attempt to court Cincinnati State Technical & Community College. They were out of the building for about 18 months before they took ownership.

With the second floor of the three-story building finished, except for a functioning elevator, they are concentrating on finishing the third floor — which mostly needs cosmetic upgrades — where they have a stage for theater performances. They can use the third floor of the building, which is where the building’s stage is located, but it does need cosmetic repairs.

State Rep. Tim Derickson, R-Hanover Twp., had worked with the arts organization, including writing letters of support to the city encouraging they donate the building the foundation. He also put in the most recent state budget to allocate $37,500 to help pay for a new elevator.

“(The new elevator) will allow us to expand our programming to kids with developmental disabilities that can’t make it up our steps right now,” Wittman said. “And it will help us to become more self-sustaining.”

Derickson said it’s “exciting” to see Art Central Foundation activity back on North Main Street. For two years the organization was given space building space on Vail Avenue owned by Roger Connor, who owns Flowers by Roger on Manchester Avenue.

“The facility is being rejuvenated by faithful volunteers, providing a creative atmosphere for all the students taking summer classes,” said Derickson.

He said his assistance will help the foundation and its staff to better serve the community.

Art Central Foundation also received $2,800 from the Ohio Arts Council for a mural project on the Cincinnati State building that used to house the county Job and Family Services that served the city. Wittman said the money was three-fourths of what they requested, and never received this large of a percentage of the ask. In the past, Wittman said the Ohio Arts Council had awarded around 10 percent of their requests.

The foundation will also be able to help the local economy with two first-floor rentals across from Cincinnati State Middletown’s campus — and potentially next door as the college also owns the empty First National Bank building at Central Avenue and North Main Street.

While the arts classes and the ability to rent its third floor for events, the first floor space will help “pay the bills,” Wittman said. One of the two spaces, she said, would be ideally suited for something in the food service industry that’s “affordable and quick” for Cincinnati State students.

The other half, Wittman said, is suited for retail, office or some other business.

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Bocephus View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bocephus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul 20 2014 at 6:46pm
Wow just wow lol
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul 21 2014 at 6:07am
Will the leaders of Middletown ever see focus and potential growth OUTSIDE THE PARAMETERS of the arts? This topic has such limited potential for this city, yet, the whole group of city leaders seem to see only this small segment of society interest. Just because a few dozen people think this stuff is interesting, doesn't mean the other 97% do. I don't understand the thinking here. The arts is so limited in it's attraction and because of that limitation, can't be a catalyst for eye-opening change this city needs. I see no monumental growth having a few people downtown for a few evenings a week. It's gonna take alot more than that to put people on the sidewalks down there. Need variety and attraction angles that will provide interest to the majority. The arts (or Cincy State) ain't it folks. Mulligan, Wittman, Moorman and this small group of arts lovers are so pigeon-holed in their interests that they can't see the bigger picture for the creation of whole scale interest for the vast majority.........or perhaps, they want it that way and don't care to have the bulk of the city population enter their precious downtown. Perhaps most of us aren't "civilized" enough to join their little party.    
I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
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