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The Hub eyeing a new home in Rushville

A mock-up of what The Hub might look like in Washington School.
Image created by Xochi Anderson, Program Coordinator for The Hub.
A mock-up of what The Hub might look like in Washington School.

The Hub Arts & Cultural Center has grown its programming during its decade at 210 N. Congress St. in downtown Rushville.

“Currently, our building, it’s fantastic. But we’ve outgrown it,” said Executive Director Erin Eveland.

She said the building is basically one large room, making it difficult to hold multiple events at once or conduct office-related work while events are taking place. They’ve also run out of storage space.

So, the non-profit is now conducting a capital campaign, with the hope of acquiring a larger space that will give them a place to grow.

Eveland said they have their sights set on Washington School, 100 Buchanan St. in Rushville.

The Schuyler-Industry School District will move students out of that building once an addition is completed at Webster Elementary, perhaps in time for the start of next school year.

“What Washington will allow us to do is to add on specific studios and have more space,” Eveland said.

For example, they plan to have a ceramics and glass studio, a youth program area, a multi-purpose room, a performance space, and an art gallery. They also intend to rent out artist studios.

“We’ve got big plans,” Eveland said.

She said they might also plant a community garden, and they will keep the playground in place for kids in that part of town.

Eveland said the school district is expected to accept sealed bids for the building, but it’s not known when that will happen.

She said The Hub’s goal is to raise $300,000 during its capital campaign. They hope that will be enough to pay for the purchase, the renovations, and furnishing the building.

Tri States Public Radio produced this story.  TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.

Rich is TSPR's News Director.