Good for students. Good for the Arts. Great for Eugene.
The new Midtown Arts Center, opening in January 2021, is a significant addition to Eugene’s arts community, and an economic, cultural, and educational boost to the city. The new center fulfills a longtime goal of Eugene Ballet and other organizations to create a permanent space large enough for students and performers to rehearse adequately, with plenty of administrative space and room to grow.
Nine organizations will occupy nearly 30,000 square feet of the seven-story structure now under construction at 16th & Pearl. The new location will more than double the current cramped and inadequate arts building shared by seven arts organizations in the 1500 block of Willamette Street.
Like the current arts center, the new Midtown Arts Center will be owned by Eugene Ballet with offices leased to other organizations. Rehearsal space also will be available for rent by the groups in the building as well as other community organizations.
The Midtown Arts Center is part of a 128,000 square foot development, called “The Midtown,” that includes housing and commercial space. The project was made possible through the partnership between Eugene Ballet and longtime arts supporter Alex Haugland, who are co-developing the site.
Good For Students
The Midtown Arts Center will increase the capacity to serve students and provide access to high-quality, professional-level studios. The new center is conveniently located for students, near the University of Oregon, South Eugene High School, the YMCA, and the new Civic Park.
“Any organization in the community that has arts and arts programming, including the UO, will benefit from the energy that is created with this new center.”
Sabrina Madison-Cannon
Dean of the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance
Good for the Arts
The new Midtown Arts Center will be home to Chamber Music Amici, Eugene Concert Choir, Eugene Opera, Lane Arts Council, Orchestra NEXT, and Pacific International Choral Festivals. The non-profit groups will reduce costs by sharing maintenance and operating costs, while their co-location will promote collaboration on arts projects.
Eugene Ballet is committed to housing arts organizations at the Center and will support new and growing organizations as the current groups expand and potentially move to their own dedicated spaces.
The new Center will have a total of seven rehearsal studios, some of which will be sized to replicate the Hult Center stages. These new rooms will alleviate a problem the Ballet and other performance groups have at the current location: not enough space to fully rehearse the choreography, orchestra or choral music – all critical components for achieving the level of performance quality expected by audiences.
“I’m excited about the new dance studios. With no physical beams in the way, we will be able to actually jump without hitting our heads on the ceiling. The larger studios will allow performers to let go and fly.”
Antonio Anacan
co-founder of #instaballet
Great For Eugene
The new Midtown Arts Center also will enhance the neighborhood and greater Eugene by providing new opportunities for expanded arts and cultural education and will strengthen the city’s reputation as an arts-rich community. Together with The Midtown housing and office spaces, the complex promises to be a catalyst for economic development in the Midtown area.
“This is the most ambitious capital project from the ground-up for the arts in Eugene since the Hult Center in 1982. It will pay off now and for future generations.”
Isaac Marquez
Director of Cultural Services for the City of Eugene
Good For Students
The Midtown Arts Center will increase the capacity to serve students and provide access to high-quality, professional-level studios. The new center is conveniently located for students, near the University of Oregon, South Eugene High School, the YMCA, and the new Civic Park.
“Any organization in the community that has arts and arts programming, including the UO, will benefit from the energy that is created with this new center.”
Sabrina Madison-Cannon
Dean of the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance
Good for the Arts
The new Midtown Arts Center will be home to Chamber Music Amici, Eugene Concert Choir, Eugene Opera, Lane Arts Council, Orchestra NEXT, and Pacific International Choral Festivals. The non-profit groups will reduce costs by sharing maintenance and operating costs, while their co-location will promote collaboration on arts projects.
Eugene Ballet is committed to housing arts organizations at the Center and will support new and growing organizations as the current groups expand and potentially move to their own dedicated spaces.
The new Center will have a total of seven rehearsal studios, some of which will be sized to replicate the Hult Center stages. These new rooms will alleviate a problem the Ballet and other performance groups have at the current location: not enough space to fully rehearse the choreography, orchestra or choral music – all critical components for achieving the level of performance quality expected by audiences.
“I’m excited about the new dance studios. With no physical beams in the way, we will be able to actually jump without hitting our heads on the ceiling. The larger studios will allow performers to let go and fly.”
Antonio Anacan
co-founder of #instaballet
Great For Eugene
The new Midtown Arts Center also will enhance the neighborhood and greater Eugene by providing new opportunities for expanded arts and cultural education and will strengthen the city’s reputation as an arts-rich community. Together with The Midtown housing and office spaces, the complex promises to be a catalyst for economic development in the Midtown area.
“This is the most ambitious capital project from the ground-up for the arts in Eugene since the Hult Center in 1982. It will pay off now and for future generations.”
Isaac Marquez
Director of Cultural Services for the City of Eugene
Funding the Midtown Arts Center
The Investment
Eugene Ballet’s commitment to purchasing the Arts Center establishes a significant investment in both the Ballet’s future and the economy of our community. Over one-third of the funds needed will come through the sale of Eugene Ballet’s current property. The Ballet is currently conducting a fundraising campaign to purchase the completed Center and create an endowment to defray operating costs.
We Need Your Help
to Complete the Center
Completing and opening the Midtown Arts Center is dependent on the generosity of our community. We encourage you to support this vital resource. Below is information regarding naming opportunities in the center at a range of levels. If you are interested in available naming opportunities, touring the Center, or discussing your gift, please contact Josh Neckels by email or by phone at (541) 485-3992.
Naming Opportunities
Click to see a list of naming opportunities and other ways to support Midtown Arts Center.
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