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#OurOcala Is Growing | The Reilly Arts Center Announces Expansion

Known for entertaining the city, The Reilly Arts Center is back with some big news for #OurOcala. The Reilly Arts Center announced that construction would soon begin on its much-anticipated expansion project. 2021 is going to be a big year and the $4 million, 15,590 sq. ft. expansion at The Reilly is going to make it bigger.

The Reilly Arts Center will expand its current facility, offering more space and more creative freedom for performers. A few highlights of the expansion include a second theater, The Reilly’s new Black Box Theatre. The space will be a flexible, flat floor area that can be transformed day-to-day. The goal is to accommodate the creation of unique, intimate experiences. The new Black Box will also be capable of hosting banquets, receptions, special speakers and more. The theater will also provide the both seated or standing capacities.

The Reilly Arts Center Expanding!

The expansion will also feature a new lobby expansion that will accommodate more guests. The added space will also provide more than twice the additional restrooms and concession areas. There will also be teaching facilities such as a large rehearsal room and multiple studios and lesson rooms. These areas will accommodate new music and performing arts teaching from Ocala Symphony Orchestra musicians and more.

The expanded box office area will include a dedicated box office area for guests from both inside and outside. The expansion was designed by KP Studio Architects. While Dinkins Construction has been selected by the Reilly Arts Center board of directors to complete the project’s construction.

Bigger & Better!

Matthew Wardell, CEO of the Reilly, spoke about the expansion and the future of The Reilly Arts Center. Mr. Wardell stated: “In the context of our current climate, the Reilly Arts Center is excited to announce this project during a time when the entertainment industry is transitioning.  “Thanks to our patrons and the careful planning and groundwork that began more than two years ago by our Board and staff, there is no time like the present to get this project underway and out of the ground.”

He continued to say, “We’re going to take advantage of the COVID-19 mandated downtime we currently have and build something so phenomenal that it will be hard to imagine our facility as it was. We’ll be able to do more diverse programming, bring enhancements in arts education that our community has never seen before, and come out of this pandemic squarely looking forward to a very bright future for the arts in Ocala.”

2021 is going to be amazing, and this expansion will be just the beginning. Find out more about the expansion and head over to The Reilly Arts Center’s website right now. To find out more about opportunities and how to contribute, contact Pamela Calero Wardell, Executive Director of The Reilly Arts Center. In the meantime, keep it locked with The Culture Curators for more big news coming from #OurOcala!

Written by Jesse James

Author, Audiophile, Style connoisseur, & Sneakerhead. Passionate for life and happiness!

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