Located in the heart of the downtown Suffolk, Virginia, Suffolk High School was constructed in 1922 and is one of the most handsome architectural structures ever built in Suffolk. This historic building served as a high school until it was closed in 1990.
In 1998, Mayor Dana Dickens and Suffolk City Council appointed the Suffolk High School Task Force to develop a plan for the adaptive-reuse of the school building. During this time, it was determined that a cultural arts center would benefit the entire greater Suffolk community, including residents from surrounding areas in Virginia and North Carolina. Plans were then implemented to renovate Suffolk High School into the area's only full-service cultural arts center - Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.
The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts will be a place where all citizens will have the opportunity to participate and study various visual and performing arts. Diverse cultural programs for all age groups will be available. In addition, the Suffolk Center will offer two large areas providing space for dances, receptions, meetings, and banquets, as well as a renovated theater which will seat 550 people. Plans are in place to build an amphitheater adjacent to the arts center to hold outdoor events.
A capital campaign was launched in September, 2001 to raise the renovation cost. Campaign fundraising goals include $6.8 million from the City of Suffolk, approximately $9 million from state and federal historic tax credits, and the balance of approximately $4.5 million to be raised through donations from the private sector. Fundraising volunteers are currently seeking support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and alumni to meet this private sector goal.
Once strategies for the capital campaign were put into place, the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts Foundation Board of Directors and Honorary Board were established, and the original Suffolk High School Task Force was dissolved. A Finance Committee was selected to manage and invest dollars gifted to the Foundation. In order to qualify for state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits, the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, Inc. and the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, L.P. were formed.
It is the goal of the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts Foundation (a not-for-profit, tax-exempt Section 501(c)(3) organization) to develop a center which will enhance the life experiences of all citizens and visitors. Every individual, corporation, foundation and alumni is invited to claim ownership in the Suffolk Center by being a part of our team and supporting this exciting work in progress. Join us and together we can open the doors for cultural awareness and new opportunities which will benefit our community for generations.
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