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The Future of the Fort Worth Community Arts Center
In 2002, the City of Fort Worth declared by Resolution, “Whereas the committee ... deemed the best use of this facility to be a community arts center where local multicultural arts organizations will have an opportunity to utilize the facility.” As it was then known, the Arts Council of Fort Worth entered into an agreement with the City to manage the building and the Fort Worth Community Arts Center has since been a vital space for the multitude of performing and visual arts organizations, artists, and performers that have given Fort Worth a vibrant arts community. On February 14, 2023 the Fort Worth City Council approved a resolution appointing a task force on future uses of the City-owned building. This building, still currently leased by Arts Fort Worth for use as the Fort Worth Community Arts Center and the W.E. Scott Theater.
Relying upon a building condition assessment conducted in 2022 by the architectural firm of Bennett Partners, the City’s Property Management Department has determined that 1300 Gendy requires repairs with an aggregate cost of approximately $26 million. In view of these repairs, Mayor Mattie Parker proposed that the City Council appoint a task force on future uses of 1300 Gendy. Presented in a final report to the City Council on June 6, the Task Force recommend that the Arts Center be redeveloped as a 'world-class cultural hub." Click here to see the three options presented by City staff to the public at the meeting March 30th.
Redevelopment Timeline
Tuesday, June 27th at 6:00 p.m.
Fort Worth Community Arts Center | 1300 Gendy Street
Arts Fort Worth will hold a community meeting to hear from the community what you value from the Fort Worth Community Arts Center and that you would like to see in the future- studio spaces, gallery space, theaters, accessible programming for artists, performers, creatives and the the community? As the redevelopment process of 1300 Gendy moves forward, help Arts Fort Worth guide the future of the programs and spaces you value. Arts Fort Worth covers the $12 parking fee for the first 40 advocates who register.
Tuesday, June 21st
City Hall | 200 Texas St
City Council will vote on the final draft of the Request for Proposals, which will be made public at that time.
Tuesday, June 13
City Hall | 200 Texas St
After more than 20 people spoke on the issue, City Council voted to approve the resolution accepting the Final Report of the 1300 Gendy Task Force and authorizing the City Manager to proceed in implementing the Task Force recommendations.
The Task Force makes it's final recommendation to the City Council.
June 6th at 7 p.m.
The Pool | 1801 8th Avenue
Community advocacy group Support Fort Worth Art held a community meeting at The Pool to teach artists how to advocate for arts spaces, including speaking at the City Council Public Comment meeting on June 13th.
March 30: Task Force Public Meeting
Fort Worth Community Arts Center | 1300 Gendy
February -May 2023
The Task Force met at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. You can view presentations, contracts, historical documents here.
How you can be an arts advocate!
The Task Force has made it's final recommendation to City Council to redevelop the Fort Worth Community Arts Center into a world-class cultural hub. The City will release a request for proposals from developers to redevelop 1300 Gendy. What will that look like? We need you to let your representatives know how important community arts spaces are to you!
The Redevelopment Process
News
"A $26 million dilemma: Fort Worth solicits feedback on future of Fort Worth"
Fort Worth Report
Fort Worth needs $26 million to fix the city’s arts center. Arts community says pay up
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
City To Study Costly Problem with Fort Worth Community Arts Center
Fort Worth Magazine
Future of Fort Worth Art Space in Question Amid Costly Repairs
NBC5
Report looking at the future of Fort Worth Community Arts Center delayed until June
Fort Worth Report