For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Central Wisconsin Cultural Center has opened a $300,000 capital fundraising campaign for the purpose of relocating the Cultural Center to a new permanent home.

The Legacy Foundation of Central Wisconsin has pledged a challenge grant to match all new contributions dollar-for-dollar to the Cultural Center, up to a total of $300,000. When the Cultural Center meets its fundraising goal, Legacy will contribute $300,000, giving the organization $600,000 in revenue for the project.

“The goal of this challenge grant is to assist the Center in securing a permanent home by buying an existing building and to magnify the impact of community support,” stated Mary Olson, Cultural Center interim executive director. “Owning a permanent home after 23 years will allow us to design the interior and exterior spaces to meet our specific needs and increase arts programming for the community. We’ve experienced growing demand for participation in the arts. In 2018, our number of visitors and participants increased 85 percent compared to 2015. In 2018 alone, our numbers grew 28 percent over 2017, and we were home to 75 artists displaying or selling their original works of art.”

Founded in 1996, Central Wisconsin Cultural Center’s mission is to advocate, recognize, and foster creative experiences through classes, exhibits, choir rehearsals, concerts, music lessons, and social gatherings as a vital element of individual and community wellbeing.

To contribute, contact the center at Wisconsin Cultural Center, 320 W Grand Ave, Suite 104, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 54495; call 715-421-4598; or visit CulturalCenterArts.com.