NTC Foundation Announces Partnership with Cygnet Theatre in Opening of The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station in 2024
NTC Foundation and Cygnet Theatre are partnering in the adaptive reuse of historic, former Navy Building 178 at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station – transforming it into a world-class performing arts center that will serve as a cultural gathering space for the community, and Cygnet Theatre's new permanent home. A $38.9M project, for which more than 77% has been raised, Cygnet Theatre and NTC Foundation will rely on philanthropic donations to raise the remaining funds.
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Today, the NTC Foundation announced its partnership with Cygnet Theatre in the renovation of historic Naval Building 178 at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station, which will become The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center, and Cygnet Theatre's permanent home. The building will be renovated for adaptive reuse, a $38.9M project brought to life with the unique partnership of NTC Foundation and Cygnet Theatre, as well as generous lead donors – including Joan and Irwin Jacobs, for whom the performing arts center is named. The project will restore historic elements of the building, as well as integrate two state-of-the-art theatres and support spaces among other enhancements. At 77% of the fundraising goal, NTC Foundation and Cygnet Theatre will rely on philanthropic community support to fulfill the remainder of the necessary funds to complete the project. The renovation project for The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center is currently scheduled to break ground spring 2023, and the center is slated to open in late 2024.
"This partnership is the exciting natural progression in Cygnet Theatre's steady growth since our founding 20 years ago. This new location will not only cement Cygnet's long-term sustainability as a San Diego institution but will fill an important need for a flagship theatre destination and live performance venue in Liberty Station," said Cygnet Theatre's Artistic Director, Sean Murray. "We are so thrilled to be able to bring Cygnet's high-quality contemporary programming to this already vibrant arts destination. In addition to being Cygnet Theatre's new home, we are looking forward to opening our doors to other community performing arts organizations as an accessible space. On top of all of this, we are deeply grateful to our donors and supporters who have recognized the incredible economic and cultural impact this project will bring to the region."
"Building 178 is a cornerstone of the ARTS DISTRICT and as it transforms into The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center – and home of Cygnet Theatre – it will be a true anchor tenant for our campus and community," said Lisa Johnson, NTC Foundation President and CEO. "Our collaboration with Cygnet is an ideal partnership, as our organizations have blended seamlessly on this milestone project that will bring a highly-anticipated, one-of-a-kind venue to our city. This partnership has truly strengthened both organizations and we are ecstatic for this new chapter for the ARTS DISTRICT and Cygnet. None of this would be possible without our generous donors who helped bring this project to life, and we can't wait to witness the plethora of arts and culture opportunities this venue will offer San Diego."
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center will be the first live performance building at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station and a contemporary, permanent home for San Diego's third-largest theater company, Cygnet Theatre. Currently occupying the Old Town Theatre with a 246-person capacity, the new venue will allow Cygnet Theatre to bring performing arts to even more community members and reach a wider audience than ever before. The space will also provide opportunities for additional organizations to perform. The addition of this performing arts center to the community will enhance the arts and culture landscape in San Diego, engaging even more audiences.
"Joan and I are thrilled to help provide this new performing arts venue in San Diego – especially one that is both a well-conceived conversion of an historic Navy building and located adjacent to the Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High-Tech High School," said Irwin Jacobs. "There has been a long-standing need for a live performance space for the many artistic groups and students in Liberty Station and we're especially excited that this will provide Cygnet Theatre with a permanent home well-attuned to their needs. We are pleased to join with many other donors in supporting the completion of this exciting project."
The highly anticipated venue will feature two theater spaces – one 289-seat proscenium theater and a 150-seat flexible studio space – as well as other notable enhancements including top-of-the-line support spaces such as dressing rooms, two green rooms, a costume shop, dedicated rehearsal and orchestra spaces and more. Patrons will have the opportunity to enjoy two refreshment areas, indoor and outdoor lobby spaces, industry-leading ADA accessibility and all that Liberty Station has to offer including a variety of incredible dining, arts and retail destinations, as well as free parking.
Cygnet Theatre and NTC Foundation have coordinated a top-tier team of partners to bring this special project to life. Theatre planning and design for The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center is led by Fisher Dachs Associates, the firm behind the design of the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre at the Old Globe Theatre's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. The architecture firm for this project is San Diego firm, obr Architecture, whose team is responsible for the Liberty Public Market, as well as other ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station buildings. Female-owned firm, Boretto + Merrill Consulting – a team that oversaw the renovation of Hotel Del Coronado and The Conrad in La Jolla – will oversee project management. Cannon Constructors, whose work can be seen at the San Diego Zoo's Wegeforth Bowl, will be general contractors. Netzel Grigsby is serving as fundraising counsel.
RENOVATION, THEATRE DESIGN & ACOUSTICS
Built in 1942, Building 178 is one of 26 historic buildings under the stewardship of the NTC Foundation. NTC Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of San Diegans by renovating 26 historic buildings at the former Naval Training Center – the largest historic preservation and cultural effort in San Diego County – to create, facilitate and operate the broad-based ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station where the public can experience the arts, culture and creativity that are the hallmark of the San Diego region. Building 178 previously served as a recreation center at the former Naval Training Center, housing a bowling alley, dance club, retail and more. Through this significant renovation, the NTC Foundation and Cygnet Theatre are bringing San Diego's rich history into the future, transforming Building 178 into a world-class performance space that will serve generations to come.
The renovation design will restore and retain original key elements, while reimagining the space to create contemporary, functional theatres for Cygnet. Enclosed during one of the Navy's renovations, the design will remove boarded-up archways, re-establish existing enclosed arcades and colonnades, and restore existing windows and doors that were previously shuttered. The project will also reconstruct the entire northern portion of the building, excluding the arcade, restoring it to its original design and allowing for expansion of the basement floor level where the new proscenium theatre will be located. The exterior of the building will also be repainted to align with Liberty Station's historic fabric.
Both theatre spaces will feature elements of flexible seating to allow for a variety of productions. Throughout both theatres, acoustical elements will be in place for optimal sound quality and amplification, including state-of-the-art paneling. To enhance the patron experience, Fisher Dachs Associates is also employing a number of elements that will mitigate external noise from lobbies, the exterior and especially plane flyover due to proximity to the San Diego International Airport, including a specially-designed roof on the proscenium theatre, noiseless door fixtures, HVAC shock absorbers and more.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
While the NTC Foundation has built ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station into a vibrant arts destination and treasured historic site in San Diego that is home to more than 90 artistic and nonprofit tenants, it currently lacks one crucial element – a building dedicated to live performance. In 2017, NTC Foundation commissioned a study conducted by Management Consultant for the Arts to determine the need for a theatre space of this size in San Diego. The findings confirmed a need and desire for a live performance space of this magnitude at Liberty Station and affirmed Building 178 was the NTC Foundation's best-suited building for a theatre space. A subsequent study in 2019 by Philanthropy's Partner confirmed there was philanthropic support in the community to fund the project.
As a result of these findings, NTC Foundation partnered with Cygnet Theatre to meet the community's needs and bring Building 178 to life. The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center will not only provide the community with a beautifully adapted, historic performance space, but the project will also provide jobs and training programs for college students and emerging artists and encourage increased partnerships with under-resourced communities such as military and students throughout the region. NTC Foundation and Cygnet Theatre hope to bring 50,000 theatre attendees each year to enjoy performances and patronize nearby businesses.
UNIQUE NON-PROFIT PARTNERSHIP
Since 2018, Cygnet Theatre and NTC Foundation have collaborated on the pursuit of realizing a performing arts center at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station and permanent Cygnet home. In an unconventional partnership, the two non-profit organizations created a separate 501(c)(3) for this initiative, leveraging each organization's strengths to bring The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center to life. NTC Foundation's experience with adaptive reuse and management of historic buildings paired with Cygnet's strong relationships in the arts community, dedicated patrons and need for a contemporary theatre space proved to be the perfect synergy to bring this project to fruition. NTC Foundation will retain ownership of the building with Cygnet serving as their tenant.
DONORS + DONATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center has reached 77% of its $38.9M fundraising goal thanks to pillars of San Diego's philanthropic and cultural community. In acknowledgement of the lead donors' generosity, the NTC Foundation and Cygnet Theatre named this project for the Jacobs. The NTC Foundation also received a $10 million catalyst grant from the State of California. The Building 178 Performing Arts Center 501(c)(3) has also received significant leadership gifts from additional generous donors including Dorothea Laub, The Conrad Prebys Foundation and Molli Wagner.Cygnet Theatre and NTC Foundation are relying on philanthropic community support to fulfill the remainder of the $38.9M total needed to complete this project. For more information about where to make a contribution, please visit http://www.building178.org.
About NTC Foundation:
NTC Foundation was established in 2000 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, to renovate 26 historic buildings at the former Naval Training Center into a significant destination for art, culture and creativity. Now the largest historic preservation and cultural project in San Diego county, ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station is a unique location filled with nearly 145 galliers, museums, artists, music groups, dance companies, makers, creators and distinctive dining experiences.
About Cygnet Theatre:
Cygnet Theatre, founded in 2002, is a leading San Diego performing arts institution known for its close personal connection with its patrons and high-quality contemporary programming. Cygnet attracts a diverse audience of theatre lovers and has won more than 130 awards for theatre excellence. Cygnet's engagement programs provide theatre access to under-served communities including students, military families, as well as professional opportunities to college students and emerging artists.
Media Contact
Kelsey Buller, NTC Foundation and Cygnet Theatre, 619-361-1217, [email protected]
SOURCE NTC Foundation and Cygnet Theatre
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