The National Park Service has formally listed downtown Fort Wayne’s Arts United Center on the National Register of Historic Places with National Significance.
The NPS recognized Arts United Center as the “Fort Wayne Performing Arts Theatre” in its most recent list of approved additions to the National Register.
Designed by revered architect Louis Kahn and opened in 1973, Arts United Center features a performing arts theater that has served as the home stage of the Fort Wayne Ballet and Fort Wayne Civic Theatre and regularly hosts dance competitions, community, and civic events.
Arts United Center was Kahn’s only commission of any kind in the Midwest and his only theater commission in the world.
In approving Arts United Center for listing on the National Register, the NPS recognized its “embodiment of (Kahn’s) more mature design philosophy and ideas” and “its use as a dedicated performance space.”
Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne is in the midst of a comprehensive project to expand and modernize the venue. The project includes the revitalization and expansion of rehearsal studios, significant upgrades to technical and event production capabilities, and much-needed improvements in accessibility for people of all abilities — all while maintaining the venue’s historic value and original design.
McMillen Family Pavilion open in Franke Park
The city of Fort Wayne recently dedicated the new McMillen Family Pavilion in Franke Park.
The new rentable, enclosed state-of-the-art pavilion features a 6,000-square-foot great hall and a 2,000-square-foot lobby featuring vaulted wood ceiling, walls, and structure with stone accents and artwork by local artists Paul Demaree and Jeremy Stroup.
The entire $22.9 million opening phase of the Franke Park Renaissance Plan includes the pavilion and shelter, the entrance from Goshen Road, a bridge over Spy Run Creek, and new and improved trails.
It’s all supported with donations from the Fort Wayne Park Foundation, the American Rescue Plan Act, and the city of Fort Wayne, as well as bonding and Capital Improvement Project funds.
Have your artwork displayed at Honeywell
Honeywell Arts & Entertainment are accepting applications for their annual Fine Art Exhibit.
Categories they are accepting applications for are in the ares of painting, drawing, and other art forms. The deadline is Jan. 5.
The exhibit will be on display in the Clark Gallery from Jan. 27-Feb. 26 and features works from talented artists across multiple mediums, offering emerging and established artists an opportunity to present creations to a diverse audience.
Participants may enter into all categories; there is no residency requirement. Photography does not qualify for this competition.
Detailed guidelines and the entry form can be found at honeywellarts.org/exhibits.
Buy ticket to Santa breakfast, Anastasia
Limited tickets remain for Fort Wayne Youtheatre’s Royal Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 21, at First Presbyterian Church.
Your ticket does not only include breakfast with Santa but also gets you preferred seating to the Fort Wayne Youtheatre’s production of Anastasia: The Musical. Breakfast is at 10 a.m. and the performance is at noon in the theater.
The Youtheatre fundraising breakfast features characters from the show, music, arts and crafts, goodie bags, storytime with Mrs. Claus, and photo opportunities with Kris Kringle himself.
Tickets are $35 and $30 for children. For tickets, call (260) 422-4226 or go to artstix.org.
Local theaters host Christmas cabarets
Two local theater groups will present holiday cabaret performances this weekend.
The performances that include local performers lending their voices to belt out holiday classics in their own unique ways will be:
- Christmas on Lake 2024 by Indiana Musical Theatre Foundation at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13-14 at RKF Studios, 2446 Lake Ave.
- Make the Yuletide Gay by Three Rivers Music Theatre at 8 p.m. on Friday-Saturday, Dec. 13-14, and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at their headquarters at 416 W. 4th St.
News and Venues covers Northeast Indiana’s music and arts organizations, venues, and colleges, from large to small. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
