The vision of creating a community arts center in Geneva took a step closer to reality last week as an endowment was created for the future project.

The Geneva Cultural Arts Commission will transfer $40,000 to the Geneva Foundation for the Arts as an endowment for a community arts center. Geneva’s City Council approved the transfer of funds at its June 19 meeting. The money being transferred was raised through generous donations, sponsorships, submission fees and tickets sales to Cultural Arts Commission events.

In 2013, the Geneva Foundation for the Arts was formed as a 501c(3) non-profit organization to work hand-in-hand with the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission. The foundation’s vision is to establish an endowment to support major cultural arts projects and a community arts center in Geneva.

Two years ago, the commission gathered community leaders and representatives from several local organizations to develop a business plan for a community arts center. To help shape the comprehensive strategy, the team researched nearly 50 centers in other cities to determine successful business models. The Geneva plan can be viewed on the commission’s website at www.genevarts.org.

Geneva’s arts center will be a place that fosters cultural enrichment through exhibitions, performances, and classes. Operation and management of the arts center will be undertaken by the foundation with the commission continuing to play a vital supporting role. Both groups are working together to secure a future arts center location.

The commission’s contribution to the arts center endowment is made possible by money raised at annual fundraisers and events, such as the Geneva Film Festival and Steeple Walk.

In addition to the endowment, funds also are used to support free events including the upcoming RiverPark Summer Concert Series on Sunday July 9, July 16 and July 23 and Shakespeare in the Park on Saturday, July 15. The Commission also supports public art with various programs, including bus stop art, functional bike rack sculptures and painted fire hydrants.

For more information about the Cultural Arts Commission, visit the advisory board’s website or call 630-938-4530.

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