By HOLLY GASKILL
A partnership is in the works between the Creative Arts Council of Wells County and Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan Schools for a new performing arts center on the BHMSD campus.
Janiece Lipsey, director of the CAC, told the BHMSD board of trustees that a basic proposal had formed after conversations with district administration began roughly one year ago. By partnering with the district for a building, the CAC can grow into a new space while offering unique classes and opportunities for BHMSD students.
A preliminary design from Elevatus Architecture of Fort Wayne, which the district has used for other recent projects, showed a two-story building with a 1,200-person auditorium, band and orchestra classrooms, art gallery and classrooms, several dance studios, black box theater, private music studios, and administrative offices and storage.
Doug Routh from Elevatus noted plans to include an outdoor amphitheater on the back exterior of the building as well. The designs presented Monday showed the performing arts center positioned behind the central office building.
That said, the proposal is in its beginning stages. Lipsey said the CAC wanted to secure a partnership with BHMSD before moving forward with a more finalized proposal and figures. The CAC is currently housed in Life Community Church in Bluffton.
“We don’t have land yet, so we have these lovely concept drawings, we’ve got the idea of programming of what’s possible, but we’re really in the infancy of what that looks like,” Lipsey explained.
The possible programming includes the opportunity to begin a magnet school for the arts, which would allow students to engage in a more focused study of a particular art form. Lipsey noted that because there are no art magnet schools in the region, it could be a unique attraction to the district and the community. She said the CAC already has students traveling from neighboring counties, including as far as Kosciusko County.
The board expressed interest in the proposal, particularly in the possibility of developing a magnet school curriculum.
“Bluffton is well-known for supporting its community,” board member Julie Thompson. “I think this is big for the community.” Board member Mike Murray called the proposal an “exciting opportunity” and said he knew students enjoy the center, including his own children.
Superintendent Brad Yates said he would consult with the district’s legal team to determine the possible framework for a partnership of this nature — for example, beyond the project’s cost, how would the two entities would continue to maintain the facility and its costs.
“There’ll be a lot of conversations going forward to be able to iron out all those questions before we would be moving significantly farther,” Yates said. “The goal tonight was really just to allow the opportunity to share what the vision could look like, and then the opportunity for the board to hear that and then begin more dialogue if both parties find it to be a worthwhile endeavor.”
holly@news-banner.com
