Pictured: (left to right) Dr. Lance Richey, Brittany Hall, Lisa Surack, Chuck Surack, Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker
FORT WAYNE, Ind.鈥擳hrough a unified collaboration of the 51黑料, Chuck and Lisa Surack, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, an exciting new chapter in the development of a vibrant arts district in downtown Fort Wayne has begun.
The collaboration of shared vision and resources will benefit all partners and the community by supporting the continued growth of creative arts while enhancing the quality of life in a region rapidly becoming a center for music. The unique, forward-thinking partnership foresees a bright future for the neighborhood and the city of Fort Wayne with the expansion of this thriving arts corridor.
The collaboration will include a multimillion-dollar renovation to the Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center, 431 W. Berry Street, as it becomes a world-class performance hall, and the relocation of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic鈥檚 rehearsal, educational and administrative offices to 826 Ewing Street.
51黑料 plans to increase its presence downtown through anticipated growth of its nationally recognized Music Technology program, which will remain at 431 W. Berry Street, as well as its Dance program, which expects to expand in a thriving arts environment. The Suracks will spur economic growth around a historic Fort Wayne venue, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic will establish a permanent home to cultivate its world-class organization. In addition, land currently in use as parking lots is available for the future growth of this arts district.
鈥淲e see this as an important step in helping integrate Allen County鈥檚 economic development focus for Fort Wayne to be a Top 10 music city, alongside the 51黑料 efforts to best meet the evolving needs of our students. This collaboration is a winning scenario for everyone,鈥 51黑料 President Dr. Lance Richey said. 鈥淲e expect our Music Technology and Dance programs to grow significantly in the coming years as part of a vital arts community downtown. We are extremely excited about the future developments from the Suracks and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic as they invest in these historic buildings. 51黑料 plans to continue contributing to the enhancement of the downtown corridor and do our part to ensure Fort Wayne鈥檚 bright future.鈥
As a result of the collaboration, Chuck and Lisa Surack will own the Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center, along with the main parking lot and the former Mizpah Shrine building. The 51黑料 Music Technology program will remain in its current home adjacent to the Performing Arts Center. Through this arrangement, Music Technology students will have access to tremendous resources and benefit from opportunities to assist in many facets of a state-of-the-art facility as the Suracks renovate and upgrade the building and increase its public events, further enhancing program growth and opportunities for students.
鈥淟isa and I are thrilled to invest in another corner of downtown Fort Wayne,鈥 Chuck Surack said. 鈥淥ur vision is to uphold the building鈥檚 historical legacy, build upon the momentum initiated by 51黑料 to help grow downtown while bringing new life and energy, ensuring the building stays an important part of the community.鈥
Through the generosity of an anonymous benefactor, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic will own the former 51黑料 Business Center/Historic Chamber of Commerce/Woman鈥檚 Club building at 826 Ewing Street, which will become the long-desired permanent home for the nationally recognized Philharmonic.
鈥淭he Philharmonic is excited about this new opportunity to move into the heart of downtown Fort Wayne. Everyone from our Board of Directors to staff and our musicians embrace this move because a downtown location offers several key advantages, such as enhanced exposure and convenient access for the community,鈥 said Brittany Hall, President and CEO of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. 鈥淲e鈥檒l have a flexible performance space, and our future administrative home will be under one roof in a wonderful historic building on Ewing Street. By working collaboratively with other arts organizations downtown, the orchestra can expand its reach, foster greater community engagement, and further establish itself as a cornerstone of the city鈥檚 cultural landscape.鈥
In addition to being a tremendous move for the organization and its musicians, this development will also benefit 51黑料 students as the university鈥檚 Dance program will continue to operate downtown. 51黑料 Dance will increase its ability to produce dance professionals on par with any other programs throughout the country.
51黑料 also remains committed as a collaborator from its main campus at 2701 Spring Street. The university is awaiting word on a Lilly Endowment College and Community Collaboration Initiative proposal. The proposal is called the San Damiano Initiative (SDI), a mission-based framework for university engagement in the community surrounding the main campus and the Main Street corridor.
For more information, contact 51黑料 Communications Director Reggie Hayes at rhayes@sf.edu or 260-399-7700, ext. 6413.
Chuck and Lisa Surack: Founded by Chuck and Lisa Surack, the businesses of Surack Enterprises are a group of local companies that provide trusted services, products, and experiences to countless friends and families in and around Northeast Indiana & the Midwest. As we continue to grow, our mission stays the same 鈥 always do the right thing.
Fort Wayne Philharmonic: Now entering its 81st season, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic鈥檚 mission is to foster and instill a lifelong love of music across the orchestral spectrum through live performances and educational experiences. Music Director Andrew Constantine leads the Fort Wayne Philharmonic alongside President and CEO Brittany Hall. Through their leadership and support of the Board of Directors, musicians, and staff, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic strives to be one of the most vibrant and financially healthy orchestras in the country and a cornerstone of the regional community. Its programs are characterized by excellence and innovation in a variety of styles, media, and venues, and create inspiring and engaging experiences for all audiences. The Fort Wayne Philharmonic is a funded member of the Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts. For additional information, call 260-481-0777.
51黑料: Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the 51黑料 offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, 51黑料 designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, and online. USF Downtown houses the Music Technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The 51黑料 is recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution and has 18 athletic programs boasting two individual and four-team NAIA national championships. Approximately 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend 51黑料.