Ivy Tech Community College is transitioning the Waldron Arts Center into a place for classrooms and studios. The College hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication last night.
The college recently purchased the Waldron from the city, and plans to use the space as an arts venue and a classroom. Ivy Tech Bloomington Chancellor John Whikehart says the space gives Ivy Tech an opportunity to fulfill its life-long learning mission.
"The mission of a comprehensive community college is that we should be offering courses like we offer in this building to the general public," Whikehart says. "We are fulfilling the mission of a community college by having the John Waldron Arts Center."
Local resident Steve Dawson takes classes at the Waldron, and is also on the board of advisers for the Center. Dawson says the remodeled space adds a new energy to the building, and gives the community a much needed resource.
There will be fifteen arts classes this year at the Waldron and the school plans to add more.
Artistic director Paul Daily is currently working with the Waldron's previous owners, the Bloomington Area Arts Council, to make sure there is a smooth transition. "What I'm working on is making the performing arts spaces more inviting for both the artists and the audience," Daily says. "They are on the verge of becoming great spaces, they just need a little here and there to make them great spaces."
Ivy Tech officially purchased the building in May, and has live performances, gallery shows, and classes planned for the upcoming year.