THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2008
by Jim BrubakerMinneapolis-St. Paul |
| A rendering of the proposed Shubert conversion |
Groundbreaking for a project to convert Minneapolis' decaying
Shubert Theater into the Minnesota Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center, if all goes according to plan, will take place in February following a grant from the
Kresge Foundation.
The Michigan-based Kresge Foundation's grant of $1.5 million, contingent on the Shubert raising $6.5 million by the end of 2009, moves the budget for the project closer to the required $41 million. The current overall budget available is slightly more than $34 million.
The Shubert, built in 1910, is the oldest theater in Minneapolis. When the conversion is completed, the Shubert's goal is to be the center for dance in the state as well as a host for arts organizations.
Address: 528 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.
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The oft-delayed project to convert a decrepit theater into The Minnesota Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center has received a boost with a $1.5 million grant from the Michigan-based Kresge Foundation.
The gift is contingent on the Shubert raising an additional $6.5 million by the end of 2009 and brings the project's fundraising total to $34.5 million. The overall budget for the project is $41 million.
Shubert executive director Kim Motes said the project should raise $37 million by the end of this year. If it does so, groundbreaking on the Shubert renovations could take place in February.
The Shubert is Minneapolis' oldest surviving theater, built in 1910. In 1999, the building was moved from its position at 22 N. Seventh St., and moved around the corner to its current location on Hennepin between Fifth and Sixth streets.
When completed, the Shubert aims to be a statewide center for dance, and also hopes to host arts organizations from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra to VocalEssence to The Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies.
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Nearly 10 years after the Shubert Theater was rescued from Block E and moved onto Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, the renovation project might come to fruition.
Might.
The Shubert's Capital Campaign announced a $1.5 million challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation, based in Detroit. It is contingent on the Shubert raising $6.5 million by the end of 2009. If that happens, the Shubert would achieve its total budget of $41 million.
Colin Hamilton, director of development, said the Shubert needs about $37 million to break ground for the project and he anticipates that might happen in February.
"We are closing in on the point where we can start working," Hamilton said. "Some of it depends on the lending market uncertainty right now."
To date, the Shubert has raised $34.5 million. It's a little complicated, but the Kresge Foundation allows Shubert to count the $1.5 million in its announced total -- even though the money is not granted until the ultimate goal is reached.
The Shubert has experienced many false starts since it was wheeled into place, next to the Hennepin Center for the Arts, in 1999. Originally slated to reopen in 2003, the project has been pushed back repeatedly as fundraising fell short of targets. One key to proceeding was a state bonding approval of $12 million in 2006. This year, the project was revised to curb costs and reduce the new capacity to 520 seats from 900.
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