Arts Forward Bloomington, a collective of artists, arts organizations and supporters of the arts that addresses critical topics in the arts community, sent a letter to city officials in support of the John Waldron Arts Center. In late May it was announced that Ivy Tech was returning ownership of the building to the city.
The letter, with more than 300 signatures, urges city officials to stand by the historical venue.
“We, the undersigned, write to you today as a united voice of the arts community, urging the City of Bloomington to secure the future of the historic building at 122 S. Walnut St. and its current function as an arts center, particularly a performance venue available for public use,” the letter said.
The letter mentions a 2019 study done by the O’Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs that stated the John Waldron Center, Cardinal Stage and Buskirk-Chumley Theater account for $4.6 million in total economic impact.
The city has not yet decided the future use of the facility.
