Downtown by Design

THE GLENN AND VIOLA WALTERS CULTURAL ARTS CENTER

Located at the corner of SE 5th Avenue and Main Street, the cultural arts center was originally built as a church. Trinity Lutheran Church purchased the land in 1941 for $2250, began construction of the church building in 1947 and hosted its dedication on May 8, 1949. Since that time, the beautiful church building has remained a landmark in the Hillsboro community.

This historic property began its second stage of life in 1999 when it was proposed as a suitable location for a new cultural arts center for the Hillsboro community. Civic leaders had recognized the need for an arts center for many years and this priority was reiterated in the Hillsboro 2020 Vision and Action Plan. The Hillsboro 2020 Plan represents the collaboration of hundreds of citizens, businesses and government to shape the growth and development of the greater Hillsboro area over the next twenty years. Arts and culture were a high priority during the planning process, not only as a quality of life issue, but also as an opportunity for redevelopment in the downtown area.

Through the generous donation of $1,000,000 from Glenn and Viola Walters, the City of Hillsboro purchased the land, church building and accompanying house totaling 54, 648 square feet from Trinity Lutheran Church in December, 2000. Over the next four years, local citizens, businesses, community organizations and the City of Hillsboro committed the necessary funding to renovate the building and complete structural upgrades. The building has undergone dramatic changes to accommodate the arts programs it houses.

The center is a ground-breaking facility that provides expanded opportunities for youth and adult art education and training, nurturing of local arts organizations, increased access to local, regional and national artists and increased opportunity for individual artists to teach and demonstrate their craft. Opened on March 16th, 2004, the Center houses a 200 seat performance/event space, six classrooms, gallery, kitchen, box office and beautiful outdoor grounds, including two terraces. The Center is a showplace for the arts and a vibrant representation of the Hillsboro Community’s commitment to culture and the arts.

Links:

• Sign Up for Cultural Arts Center Events by Email
• Walters Cultural Arts Center: Events
• Walters Cultural Arts Center: Gallery