THE REVIVAL BEGINS
Our building demolition and preconstruction phases, expertly handled by Harman Construction, commenced on May 13th and were completed by June 12th. The meticulous preparation sets the stage for our upcoming full-scale construction. Check out these exclusive behind-the-scenes images showcasing the transformation.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: RECENT NEWS
August 2023: $1.5M from the Industrial Revitalization Fund received.
October 2023: George Lucas donates a surround sound system.
October 2023: $50,000 received from Virginia Brownsfield Assistance Fun.
Your support is still needed!
Help transform the historic theater into a sustainable, adaptive mixed-use facility featuring: a movie theater; an event space to host conferences, events, and performing arts; digital media classrooms; and a small specialty food café.
Ways to donate:
- Make a tax-deductible cash donation via our website
- Make a tax-deductible cash donation by sending a check to to P.O. Box 571, Staunton, VA 24402
- Transfer stock or appreciated securities
- Direct your Required Minimum Distribution from your IRA as a donation
- Support renovations with an in-kind gift
ABOUT ARCADIA PROJECT
The Arcadia Project is a non-profit community cultural center in historic downtown Staunton, Virginia.
Our mission is to connect people through culture and creativity.
We envision a Queen City that attracts, embraces, and retains all people. A place where all generations find a welcoming cultural landscape that is relevant to their lives, where ALL ARE WELCOME.
Bring who you are.
RESTORE • REIMAGINE • REVITALIZE
We are restoring the historic theater at 125 E. Beverly Street into a sustainable, adaptive mixed-use facility featuring: a movie theater; an event space to host conferences, events, and performing arts; digital media classrooms; and a small specialty food café.
This project seeks to fill an untapped need in the community by delivering diverse creative, educational, and enrichment resources for the Staunton community.
COMPLETED WORK
We refreshed the exterior, renovated and rewired the marquee with LED lighting, replaced the rear roof, gutted the interior, remediated mold and asbestos, and completed engineering and construction studies.
Our architect has drawn up “shovel-ready” construction documents for permits and bidding.
The total spent to date is $280K, which secures our beautiful space, so it’s ready to take the next step.
We sold the building at 119 E. Beverley Street to Miller and Associates. Proceeds support the capital campaign.
In 2023, we received a $1.5 million-dollar Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) grant from the VA Department of Housing and Community Development and a $50,000 grant from Virginia Brownfields Assistance Funds for site remediation.
CURRENT WORK
Receiving the $1.5M grant from the Industrial Revitalization Fund means we can renovate the 1936 theater!
We are currently fundraising to furnish, light, and equip what will become a permanent home where we can welcome everyone to bring who they are.
FUTURE WORK
With funding secured, the front lobby will be converted into a specialty food café and there will be two distinct downstairs spaces – a 90-seat movie theater and a multi-use venue for conferences, musical events, and other performing arts, including theater and dance.
The old theater’s fly-loft space, which is located behind the existing movie screens, will be converted into back-of-house spaces for technical personnel, catering support, and artists’ areas. Above this, two new classrooms will be constructed with access via a new staircase.
