History was made recently when the Bryan Area Foundation awarded the Bryan Arts & Education Capital Campaign, “ART Connects Us”, with a $750,000 grant, the largest single grant in the Foundation’s history. Launched to raise $6 million, the “ART Connects Us” campaign will transform the 1903-built Arts & Education Center in downtown Bryan, Ohio, into a state-of-the-art performance venue. The grant, along with other donations, is an investment in the arts that will provide a vibrant gathering place where the community can connect through shared cultural experiences for generations to come.

Planned renovations for the building include the following:

• Fully accessible entrance and expanded lobby
• Additional and updated restrooms
• A new ticket counter and information desk
• Community lounge and gallery space
• Upgraded dressing rooms and a green room
• A new scene shop
• Modernized sound and lighting systems
• Contemporary auditorium seating
• And increased parking

Pictured during the check presentation, front row, left to right, are Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Committee Member Mike Johnson, ART Connects Us Campaign Committee Members Bill Martin and Megan Kimbell, and ART Connects Us Campaign Committee Chair Russ Davies. Second row, left to right, are City of Bryan, Ohio, Mayor Carrie Schlade, Bryan Area Foundation incoming Chair Tom Turnbull, Bryan Area Foundation Director of Communications and Programs Jenny Horn, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Committee Chair Mark Miller, Bryan City School District Superintendent Mark Rairigh, and Bryan City School District Board of Education Presidents Dustin Schlachter and Caleb Turnbull.