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News Releases 
The Children's Theatre Company announces updated design for expansion and renovation 
For Immediate Release: January 28, 2003
Minneapolis, MN - The Children's Theatre Company announced today new design plans for expansion and renovation of its south Minneapolis facility. Currently, CTC is turning away hundreds of children from its education programs due to lack of adequate space. The addition will meet that need and give the theater the ability to expand its education and community partnerships, extend its programming options to include teens and younger children, and maintain its commitment to statewide touring.
The project's expected cost is $24 million, half of which will come from private contributions. CTC is seeking state bonding support for the remainder of the cost.
The updated design, by renowned American architect Michael Graves and his firm Michael Graves & Associates, is the first expansion and renovation of the facility since 1974. The new plan will allow construction to begin as soon as this summer if state bonding is secured. The city approval process is on track to be completed March 31.
The design announced today builds on one proposed last year. "The release last March was the first conceptual exploration of what a new CTC might look and feel like, in terms of developing its own identity and in relation to the neighborhood," said Michael Graves. "Moving through the design process gave us the opportunity to look more closely at the design as it relates to the campus."
The updated design requires a smaller footprint without compromising CTC's programming needs. It adds a ground level (half below grade) to reduce the height of the building, and eliminates the expansion to the south, so that the existing loading dock no longer needs relocation. It also continues to use the existing CTC/MIA entrance to maintain and foster the synergy between the two arts organizations. And just as the facade design has evolved to better integrate with the campus, it has also evolved to claim an iconic component that uniquely identifies CTC.
"Michael Graves has succeeded brilliantly in creating a building that will allow us to expand our educational and artistic programming," said CTC artistic director Peter C. Brosius.
The remodeled facility will have a new education wing with dedicated classroom space, a new dance studio and on-site rehearsal halls. The expansion will also include a 288-seat flexible theater that will allow CTC to better serve teenagers and children younger than 5. Seriously outdated equipment and building systems will also be replaced.
The expansion will allow CTC to increase its focus on education and its reach into Greater Minnesota - both of which are already priorities for the company. The Children's Theatre Company serves 350,000 children and families every year, nearly one-third of whom live in Greater Minnesota. That fact, combined with its workshops and partnerships with communities, makes CTC an important part of the educational and cultural infrastructure for the entire state.
Last fall, for the 17th consecutive year, CTC toured Greater Minnesota. In 22 Minnesota communities, the touring company not only performed, but conducted workshops and Q&A's with students and teachers. And, in the next few weeks, CTC will present Stories from Montevideo, MN, both at CTC and at the Watson, MN Town Hall. This theater piece is based on interviews with the residents of Montevideo, MN and is supported by the prestigious Ford Foundation and Americans for the Arts. It is the strength of these partnerships and collaborations that benefit all of Minnesota's young people and families.
CTC will remain physically connected to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and be built within existing CTC property lines. The design will increase CTC's current space by 45,000 square feet, giving the expanded building a total of 125,000 square feet. The operating cost of the expansion will be covered by the increased revenue generated by the new space as well as targeted fundraising.
The private fundraising has already reached $11.5 million, nearly half of the estimated cost of construction. "Our fundraising to date demonstrates the value of this project to the community," said CTC managing director Teresa Eyring. "CTC's constituents are children and young families, not wealthy individuals, which is why our corporate and foundation donors are so important. It's also why our request for state bonding is so critical. If we are successful, we can begin the project this summer."
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| Michael Graves & Associates CTC Expansion Renderings: Outside View from SE |
Michael Graves & Associates CTC Expansion Renderings: Outside View from NE |
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| Michael Graves & Associates CTC Expansion Renderings: Second Stage |
Michael Graves & Associates CTC Expansion Renderings: Lobby Interior |
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