The Kresge Foundation awards $1 million challenge grant to Wheaton arts center project
January 19, 2000
Wheaton College has been awarded a challenge grant of $1 million by The Kresge Foundation for the renovation and expansion of Meneely Hall, and the renovation of the Watson Fine Arts Center. The grant will be paid when Wheaton has successfully raised the $18 million in gifts needed to fund the arts renovation project, by June 1, 2001.
"We are thrilled to receive this affirmation from Kresge of the importance of our project in stimulating a renaissance of the arts at Wheaton," said President Dale Rogers Marshall. "Kresge challenge grants are very competitive and prestigious, like the Good Housekeeping seal of approval."
This spring, the college will begin construction on the project, with over 75% of the funding already in place. The center will be a home for the visual and performing arts at Wheaton, increasing and expanding its facilities to better serve a growing student interest in the arts as well as recognizing the central role of these disciplines in a liberal arts education. The project calls for a renovation and transformation of Watson Fine Arts Center to better serve the art history, music, and theater departments, and the college's permanent art collection. The studio arts program will relocate to a new studio arts building connected to Meneely Hall. At the same time, Meneely will undergo a complete renovation, including new data systems, new wiring, plumbing, new entry and lobby areas, and improved handicapped accessibility. Cosmetic improvements will be made to both the interior and exterior of Meneely and Watson, and Hood Courtyard, between the two buildings, will undergo redesign to unify the new arts center.
The rebirth of the center is testament to Wheaton's commitment to the arts and to broadening student opportunities for leadership, scholarship and artistic expression. Since the Watson Fine Arts Center opening in 1962, student enrollment has nearly doubled, and majors in studio arts and theater have been introduced. Renovating to maximize the use of existing space, and construction of the new studio arts building will dramatically enhance and expand the arts program at Wheaton.
The Kresge Foundation awards grants toward projects involving construction or renovation of facilities and the purchase of major capital equipment or real estate. It is an independent, private foundation created by the personal gifts of Sebastian S. Kresge and is not affiliated with any corporation or organization.
"This million dollar Kresge challenge grant will be the largest foundation grant Wheaton has received in the last ten years," explained Marshall. "To receive it we must reach the rest of our fundraising goal for the project within the specified time. We believe that this leverage will inspire everyone to support this project, build the momentum, and thus earn a million dollars from Kresge."