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SPOTLIGHT
ON THE ARTS - December 2005 by Deanna Mascle The Carnegie
With two National Endowment for the Arts grants (one for educational programming, another for gallery shows and lectures), a Post Corbett Award for outstanding regional arts organization, and the 2004 Kentucky Governor’s Award in the Arts for arts education, the Carnegie stands out as a Northern Kentucky treasure. Originally built as an Andrew Carnegie library in 1904, it is an outstanding example of American Renaissance architecture and in 1971 it was placed on the Register of Historic Places. The facility was converted to an arts center in 1972 and today is the largest multi-disciplinary arts organization in a three-county area in Northern Kentucky. The Carnegie has also earned its place as a major local and regional contemporary gallery space, attracting artists and visitors alike to participate in high-quality professional arts programming. With 6,000 square feet of gallery space, it is the largest gallery in the region. The Carnegie’s board, along with the community, has also made major commitments to the preservation, renovation and adaptation of the facility itself. In 2004, the 2,100-square-foot Eva G. Farris Education Center was added as a dedicated space for arts education activities. Another addition, completed in 2002, includes gallery space and ensures handicapped accessibility. The final step toward completing the Carnegie as a comprehensive arts complex is currently under way: the renovation of the original Beaux-Arts theater. The grand opening of the theater is slated for this March. “We couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead for The Carnegie,” says Kelley. “With the renovation of our theater, we will be able to provide much more arts programming to Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati communities. It is our hope that we will continue to positively influence our surrounding community and become a popular arts entertainment choice for singles, couples and families looking for high quality arts experiences.” Deanna Mascle is a
staff writer for The Lane Report. |
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Copyright 1996-2005, by Kentucky Business Online. All rights reserved. Editorial content is copyright 2005,
Lane Communications Group The Lane Report is a trademark of Lane Communications Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |
With five art galleries, a turn-of-the- century theater and a new education center, Covington’s Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center has the distinction being a multi-disciplinary arts venue for all ages. 
“In the decades since its conversion from library to multi-arts center, the Carnegie has grown steadily in its contribution to the life of both the immediate and the broader community,” says Lisa M. Kelley, the center’s director of development and marketing. “It has become a lively center for community arts, providing a home year-round for after-school and summer art education classes for youth of all ages. Families enjoy our weekly Family Saturdays programming and Kids Connections performance events.”
Renovations include an entirely reconstructed interior, an enlarged stage, and all new seating on the main floor and balconies that will provide capacity for approximately 450 seats. In addition, the rosette, proscenium arch and the historic Harlan Hubbard mural above the stage are being restored to their original splendor.