HISTORY OF THE ARTS UNITED CENTER |
 The Arts United Center was built in 1973 by the famous architect Louis Kahn. The theatre was built at a cost of $4.1 million and serves as the main performance stage for the Civic Theatre, the Youtheatre, Fort Wayne Ballet, Fort Wayne Dance Collective and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. The theatre also serves as a community resource and is available for the public to rent.The Arts United Center is 250' long, 119' across the front and 171' wide across the center. The stage house is equivalent to eight stories high. The Arts United Center features a 663-seat auditorium. Every seat has a completely clear view to the mid-point of the house curtain at the floor line. The auditorium is completely enclosed in cement to keep out the noise of trains. Louis Kahn likened it to a violin inside a cement violin case. Kahn also wanted the auditorium to be completely unadorned so that the audience would focus on the stage. The stage itself provides a prime area for flexibility. The proscenium is 60' wide, and maximum stage depth is 40'. The combination of orchestra pit lift and forestage, hydraulically-operated, is of proscenium width and when elevated to stage level adds an additional 11' of thrust stage area. There are 47 fly lines as well as sound, projection and light booths. Both men's and women's dressing rooms, and a green room for a lounge area can be found at the rear of the stage. There are two soundproofed rehearsal halls of maximum stage sized also found in the building designed to minimize the use of the main stage for rehearsal purposes. Found on the second floor is the Ian Rolland Gallery. This elegant space provides nearly 4,000 square feet for exhibits, meeting, lectures, receptions and other gatherings. It has a seating capacity of 150 and a standing capacity of 250-300. The gallery is available for community rental as is the front lobby area. The Architect Louis Kahn is known around the world and is famous for his concept of open space buildings. The Arts United Center is the only theatre Kahn designed. Kahn's design for the building was for the performing arts facility to seek excellence in visual organization, acoustical superiority and structural simplicity. His choice of materials included brick, concrete and oak. Some of Kahn's other designs include the Richards Medical Research Building at the University of Pennsylvania, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies at La Jolla, the Yale University Art Center, and the Kimbell Museum of Art in Fort Worth. Gallery Rental The Ian M. Rolland Gallery in the Arts United Center is an ideal location for a pre-show gathering. Up to 200 guests may enjoy hors d'oeurves, dinner, cocktails and/or desserts from the caterer of your choice. Seating arrangements and menus are quite flexible, and the Arts United Center staff offers you ease in planning your event. For Gallery availability or more information, call the Arts United Center at 260 423.4349. |
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