Keystone Art and Culture Center

420 Pearl Street, Lancaster, Pa 17603

The vision for the Keystone Art and Culture  Center is to provide access and opportunity for our community into the world of art.  Across the nation, the inclusion of the arts as a viable economic catalyst is proving to be highly successful in urban revival efforts.  The arts have been proven to draw businesses, visitors, and new residents, and increase consumer spending, all of which increase state and local tax revenues. When applied with the correct imagination and strategy, the inclusion of the arts not only increases economic opportunity, but also plays a central role in cultural development. This Center is developing through the inspiration of local artists with a national track record and strengthened by the vision and direction of local businesses and community leaders dedicated to enriching the cultural fabric of Lancaster County.

The Keystone Art and Culture Center will play a positive role in the continuing revitalization of Lancaster County’s City center.  Located centrally within the Mid-Atlantic metropolitan area as well as conveniently between other art centers from Maine to North Carolina, the activities of these art and cultural centers attract participants from across the nation and the world. 

The Keystone Art and Culture Center will provide a diversity of activities not found in many of these other centers.  The activities of the Keystone Art and Culture Center in addition, are only available at the university level at a few select regional locations.  Our intent is to provide quality art education and opportunity to a wider audience and, in addition, to complement our regional facilities by offering unique activities above and beyond their capabilities.

The Keystone Art and Culture Center will also provide a cultural center of interest through involvement in nationally recognized public art projects and the creation of a world-class exhibition hall.  Students of the Center and the community will have the opportunity to participate in the creation of nationally recognized art works created here in Lancaster County.  The pride in community and lasting impact of having national treasures like the Smithsonian Triceratops created here in Lancaster is immeasurable.  Community pride and publicity of course, effect tourism, and can measurably influence the economy of cities that host a variety of cultural interests.

The Keystone Art and Culture Center’s employees are artists whose vision and technical skills are necessary to support the various efforts of local public and civic organizations.  This center will stimulate employment and will ultimately provide a landmark point of interest through a world-class exhibition hall and the prestige of artists who attend as visiting resident instructors.  The Center will include an accessory exhibition space to showcase the talents of our students, visiting artists and our in-house talent.  In addition, our facility will produce fine art (licensed and wholesale items) made available through a diversity of markets, from the Smithsonian store to the local North Museum gift shop.

Planning and development, setting up in the building, starting the classes, offering spectacular exhibits and continuing to market the services of our team of artists costs money.  These activities have existed thus far by the generosity and support of a few wonderful people.  The time is now for you, to become a loyal supporter of culture and arts in Lancaster County.  We need your help. 

Many of you may not know that the long awaited Hall of Human Origins, a new permanent exhibit that will feature a dozen cast bronze skulls opened March 23^rd at Yale University’s Peabody Museum of Natural History.  Our artwork is again featured in a most prominent and internationally renowned museum, and  this shines wonderfully on our focus to integrate art and science.  Please consider visiting the museum and  this wonderful permanent exhibit. In addition,  March 24^{th 2004}, noted Paleoanthropologist Meave G. Leakey speaks on her latest research.   All who journey to the opening are welcome also to visit the Connecticut studio where the Torosaurus is currently being sculpted.  This studio is that of well-known minimalist sculptor, the late David Von Schlegell.  The Peabody Museum events are listed at this website:  http://www.peabody.yale.edu/events

We are planning a gathering and fundraising event within the new building this Spring.  We need your financial support to bring in staff and for preparing these new beginnings.  Please consider making a supporting contribution today.   

Sincerely,

George Mummert

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