Ball State trustees get first look at $60M performing arts center
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The Ball State University community is getting a look at what a new, $60 million performing arts center could look like.
University trustees last week reviewed new renderings of the project which, pending approvals, will be located at the northeast corner of University and McKinley avenues and serve as a driver for the growth in the nearby commercial district, The Village.
The performing arts center will feature a select-service hotel, a main stage theater seating 425 patrons, a smaller “black box” theater, dressing rooms, a scene and costume shop and more.
The new center comes after university trustees approved plans this summer to work with developer Fairmount Properties to revitalize The Village as an arts-and-culture-driven entertainment and retail district.
The performing arts center is expected to put on more than 160 shows annually, attracting more than 350,000 attendees to the area, university officials say. They expect the project could spur $80 million in private investment.
“I am grateful to the Ball State Project Design Committee, whose hard work has resulted in the beautiful design of our Performing Arts Center,” Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns said in a news release. “This facility will showcase the talent of our Department of Theatre and Dance students and faculty and provide an inviting entry to our vibrant campus for the greater Muncie and East Central Indiana communities.”
University officials say construction is expected to begin in fall 2024 with a targeted completion date of fall 2026.