A Cultural Arts Community Center Public Exhibit
By Matthew Niermann
In Spring 2008, the Cultural Arts District Sub-Committee of Champaign, IL was formed to explore developing downtown into a more vibrant center of the community based around the arts. Efforts have included researching other cultural arts districts, taking input from local stake holders, and developing a vision for the district. The goal is to create a mixed-use compact area of the city in which a high concentrate of cultural facilities serve as an anchor.
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In conjunction with the Cultural Arts District Sub-Committee and various community leaders, an Arch 374 Junior studio section, under the direction of Matthew Niermann came along side the Cultural Arts District Sub-Committee in order to explore an urban strategy and create numerous proposals for the creation of an anchor of the district: A Cultural Arts Community Center. In culmination of the work, Studio Niermann designed and built a public exhibit in the structure adjacent to the proposed sitewith the purpose of instigating discussion among the community members. The exhibit remained open to the public during the Boneyard Creek Arts Festival this past April.
Exhibit of Junior Studio Arch 374, Spring 2009 