NEW $12.5 MILLION ROCKPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS FACILITY NEARS COMPLETION
Grand opening fall 2022 five years after destructive hurricane; Conference Center bookings underway
ROCKPORT, Texas (September 13, 2022) — Construction crews are now putting final touches on the new 22,000-square-foot Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) with primary work slated for completion sometime in October and a grand opening to follow. Work began Feb. 23, 2021, on the 1.2-acre site located only a few yards from Aransas Bay in the heart of downtown Rockport. It is the first original facility to be built for the celebrated 53-year-old non-profit organization.
The new $12.5 million campus —$9 million of which is construction — will more than double the space of the former RCA facility which was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, forcing RCA to operate in temporary locations ever since. The new RCA will be home to hallmark programs in the 14,000 square-foot visual arts and art education complex and also includes The ROCC (Rockport Conference Center), encompassing 8,000 square feet, including a 4,500-square-foot ballroom, which can be configured into four smaller breakout rooms, a 1,400-square-foot foyer and a flexible catering and culinary arts education kitchen. In addition, there is a 16,000-square-foot outdoor sculpture garden that will house 10 sculptural works by artists with state, national and international recognition.
Award-winning Richter Architects of Corpus Christi designed the new coastal contemporary facility with industrial indoor finishes, with Teal Construction Company, of Houston and Corpus Christi, serving as the general contractor for the project. Both companies were hired through a competitive process.
“Our membership and our community are eagerly anticipating the opening of the new Rockport Center for the Arts, which is something we have been planning for since 2014. Hurricane Harvey destroyed our original harbor front facility on August 25, 2017, nearly five years ago,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “Substantial completion of construction should be done in early October and then it’s on to the finishing touches, fixtures and furnishings to arrive prior to the Certificate of Occupancy from our partner in the project, the City of Rockport. Once the Certificate is received we can open to the public.”
RCA contracted with National Cabling Service of Houston to design and install a $300,000 structured cabling system providing comprehensive telecommunications services throughout the complex, including Wi-Fi integration, state of the art audio-visual capabilities, telephone service, a keycard access system and other security measures. Special attention has been given to other details of the project including new ceramic studio fixtures, furnishings for both buildings, as well as appliances and equipment for the culinary arts kitchen.
“Our new, modern facilities will allow us to expand the breadth of our programs, primarily the performing arts and the culinary arts. These facilities will also serve to attract business tourism to Rockport, during the mid-week timeframe, something that has been lacking in Rockport’s vast array of tourism offerings,” said Purón.
Identified as an anchor for downtown economic revitalization, RCA worked with Austin-based Legend Labs, a high-profile brand and reputation consulting firm, to help identify strengths and positioning strategies for the organization’s newest brand, The ROCC. The new RCA is creating new opportunities for creatives working in the fields of visual arts, art education, performing arts, cinematic arts, culinary arts, as well as opportunities in business areas such as sales, marketing, administration, convention facility administration and destination management.
“Rockport was dealt a punishing blow by Hurricane Harvey, but it has been extremely gratifying to see how those in our community have continued to support one another as we rebuild and bounce back,” said City of Rockport Mayor Tim Jayroe. “The new Rockport Center for the Arts is a major step in that recovery and I couldn’t be more proud of everyone that has worked so hard to make this happen.”
Funding for the new RCA facility came from a variety of both private and public sources. Following the 2017 Hurricane Harvey destruction of the original 5,762-square-foot facility near Rockport Harbor, RCA engaged in a silent major gift campaign. A public campaign was started in February 2021, and since inception approximately $7.5 million was raised through major gifts from private, corporate, and foundation contributions through the Imagine Capital Campaign. The City of Rockport and Aransas County Long Term Recovery Team also provided assistance in the effort, partnering with RCA to help secure a $5 million grant from the U. S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). Additional disaster recovery funding for Aransas County came via the State of Texas General Land Office, which was used to construct a generous 60-space surface parking area one block away from the new RCA campus. The parking lot, to be managed by the City of Rockport, is now completed with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for August 31.
“We are thankful to the hundreds of Texas families that have invested in our community and have made a significant investment in the future of the Arts in Rockport,” Purón said.
About Rockport Center for the Arts
Rockport Center for the Arts has moved temporarily to 401 S. Austin Street at the Baker Law Building, first floor, while awaiting the August 2022 completion of a new facility. Hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Thursday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For general information, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519. For information on event space, or to book an event, contact the staff at (361) 450-8022.
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