SCAC launches capital campaign for new building

By KATIE MCDOWELL/Lifestyles Editor

COLUMBIANA – If you build it, they will come.

That’s Terri Sullivan’s thinking behind a proposed 26,000-square-foot community arts building to be built in Columbiana. The building would serve as the new headquarters of the Shelby County Arts Council, which is currently housed in retail space on Mildred Street in Columbiana.

Sullivan announced the launch of the SCAC’s official capital campaign, Building the Future, to raise funds to build the community arts center at the Celebration of the Arts fundraiser on Feb. 2.

“My dream is that the arts council will be the heart and soul of arts culture in Shelby County, creating a vibrant arts community that benefits all in the areas of visual arts, dance, theater, music and creative writing,” Sullivan said.

The proposed center would serve as a space for both performances and education with a black box theater, orchestra hall, art gallery, courtyard, art and music classrooms and a dance studio.

“A flourishing arts community is an economic engine,” Sullivan said. “People who attend arts events and classes spend money locally creating revenue for business owners and generating sales tax revenue for the city and county.”

Sullivan said the center would bring about 150 people daily to Columbiana and 300 on the weekends.

The SCAC was founded in 2005 and has served more than 23,000 children, youth and adults since that time. The organization offers dozens of art, photography, writing and music classes both at the SCAC headquarters and throughout the county. It also hosts art exhibits, contests and other events each year.

Sullivan said the expanded center would offer far more opportunities for residents throughout Shelby County.

“The Shelby County Arts Council is about community,” Sullivan said. “Our community is not defined by city limits, income, education or race. The arts council brings our community together to share the beauty of the arts.”

Sullivan also announced the launch of the Legacy Circle of the Shelby County Arts Council, a philanthropic group of the first donors to the capital campaign.

For more information, contact Terri Sullivan at 205-215-1136.

Legacy Circle Gifting Levels

Art of Community: $5,000-$7,500

Art of Outreach: $2,500-$4,999

Art of Visual Arts: $1,000-$2,499

Art of Music: $500-$999

Art of Theatre: $250-$499