Rendering of the reception area at the American Rhythm Center in downtown Chicago’s Fine Arts Building. Image courtesy of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project.
Last spring, it went by the Collaborative Space for Sustainable Development and involved six performing-arts organizations. Per a public announcement today, it’s called the American Rhythm Center, includes nine organizations and has a confirmed home: the Fine Arts Building.
Built for car and wagon manufacturer Studebaker in 1885, the richly detailed landmark stands adjacent to the Auditorium Theatre, facing Grant Park on Chicago’s South Michigan Avenue. Lead partner the Chicago Human Rhythm Project says it’s raised about half of $2.5 million for the ARC’s initial, multiphased capital campaign. The facility will first see foot traffic by the end of CHRP’s 22nd annual “Rhythm World” festival, July 23 through August 5; a grand opening with the founding partners will follow in September.
Those partners are, in addition to CHRP, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, the Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute, the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Giordano Dance Chicago, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Ping Pong Productions, River North Dance Chicago and Kalapriya, Center for Indian Performing Arts. Phase one of the project builds out and renovates a lobby, dressing rooms and administrative offices, plus three studios ranging in size from 750 to 1,500 square feet. During subsequent construction phases, the ARC plans to add more administrative room and spaces for programs, plus a black-box theater for performances. The architect is JGMA and Ujamaa Construction, Inc. is the general contractor.
In a joint interview by phone on July 5, CHRP founder-director Lane Alexander and new executive director Frank Sonntag explained the thinking behind this model for supporting performing-arts management and education in collaboration, and how it found a home in the Fine Arts Building.
trailerpilot 