Playhouse Campus Expansion Capital Drive
The Huntington Playhouse was established in 1958 and sits on the site of John Huntington’s carriage house. It started as a small summer theater and grew into a place with a 240-seat auditorium. The Playhouse had its last season in 2015. In the summer of 2017 BAYarts began working to clean out the venue. The goal of BAYarts is to renovate the former Playhouse, so it can be used on the arts campus for a wide range of cultural programming.
The first phase of renovations was completed in January of 2019 and included new electrical and fire safety systems. Improvements also included new bathrooms and windows, and drywall in the Hearth Room (previously the space used for intermission). BAYarts currently uses the renovated west end of the building for classes, concerts, and as community meeting room.
A second phase of renovations was completed in the summer of 2024, in which the auditorium was transformed into a multi-use space with the capacity to host concerts, plays, speakers, and more. The flexible event space will also be used for larger classes, weddings, and corporate events. BAYarts received a $500,000 grant from the Ohio Facilities Construction Committee (OFCC) and raised an additional $500,000 to begin Phase Two.
Further renovations to the building include the addition of two music rooms, a large classroom, a second set of bathrooms and a central hallway to facilitate accessibility throughout the building. Fundraising is ongoing for the next phase of improvements.
For more information on how you can donate, please contact Mary Conway Sullivan at mary@bayarts.net.
Naming rights opportunities are available! For more information, please contact Beth Milli at beth@bayarts.net.
| Naming Rights | Amount |
|---|---|
| Building | $1,000,000 |
| Porter Creek Corridor | $450,000 |
| Vestibule Entrance | $200,000 |
| Large Classroom | $75,000 |
| Overlook Gallery | $50,000 |
Photo by Hilary Nemecek Photography
Photo by Marissa Siebert
Photo by Hilary Nemecek
Photo by Hilary Nemecek
Photo by Hilary Nemecek
Photo by Hilary Nemecek
Photo by Hilary Nemecek
Photo by Hilary Nemecek
Photo by Hilary Nemecek
The next phase is on the horizon!
Phase 3a focuses on completing the backstage area of the BAYarts Cultural Center.
This essential phase will make the stage fully functional while also creating flexible, acoustically correct spaces that can double as music and sound rooms. The renovation will add much-needed classroom and green room gathering space for performers, as well as restrooms and storage, ensuring the facility can fully support both educational programming and live performances.
What We Do
Art Education
Classes for all ages. 6,600 students per year in 350 classes, including outreach
ArTist Income & Support
Three galleries, art festival, consignment, seasonal market employment, studio space
Community Engagement
Festivals, live music and performance, art, market, public gardens and social space, 80,000 visitors per year at 200 events.
Funding Sources and Cost Summary
| Amount | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: COMPLETE | ||
| Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) Grant | $140,000 | |
| Capital Raised for Phase 1 | $210,000 | individual, fundraising, and in-kind donations |
| Total for Phase 1 | $350,000 | |
| Phase 2: COMPLETE | ||
| Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) Grant | $500,000 | |
| Capital Raised for Phase 2 | $500,000 | individual, fundraising, and in-kind donations |
| Total for Phase 2 | $1,000,000 | |
| Phase 3a | ||
| Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) Grant | $280,000 | |
| Capital Needs for3 a (towards 50% match) | $144,000* | |
| Indirect Costs | $68,000 | administrative, permits, design |
| Total for Phase 3a | $500,000 | |
| Remaining Funds Needed to Begin 3a | $179,600 |
*Capital raised to date for Phase 3a – $32,400 (toward 50% match)
The above figures are estimates based on information available at the time of preparation and subject to change.
Capital Needs are expected to be met primarily with cash contributions but may include donated materials and limited amount of donated labor.
Additional capital raised, if any, is expected to be applied to enhancements to planned renovation.
In the event of a shortfall in capital campaign, scope changes will be considered, consistent with goal and supporting tenets.
Looking ahead: a future phase of the Playhouse project
Phase 3b focuses on completing the addition of an ADA compliant hallway to connect the interior spaces of the building.
Phase 3b will create an ADA-compliant hallway running along the back of the building, seamlessly connecting the Otto Gallery, auditorium, and backstage areas to improve accessibility, movement, and overall occupancy flow. This new corridor will not only enhance functionality but also serve as an extension of the artistic experience, with the interior wall providing additional gallery display space. On the south side, expansive windows will frame views of the picturesque patio and Porter Creek valley, blending art, accessibility, and natural beauty.
Naming Rights Opportunities
For more information, please contact Beth Milli at beth@bayarts.net.
| Naming Rights* | Amount | Amount Donated | Named Space |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | $1,000,000 | _________ Cultural Arts Center at BAYarts | |
| Porter Creek Corridor | $450,000 | ||
| Vestibule Entrance | $200,000 | ||
| Flex Space/Auditorium | SOLD | SOLD | Sullivan Auditorium, Gift of Barb & Frank Sullivan |
| Stage | SOLD | SOLD | Joseph D. Carney Family Stage |
| Hearth Room | SOLD | SOLD | Sally J. Otto Gallery |
| Large Classroom | $75,000 | ||
| Overlook Gallery | $50,000 | _________ Overlook Gallery | |
| Outdoor Patio | SOLD | SOLD | VLX Travel Patio |
| Music Rooms | SOLD | SOLD | Carleen Herring Bonds Music Rooms |
| Current Phase, Sponsorship Opportunities | |||
| Furniture, Fixtures, + Equipment | $75,000 | ||
| Acoustics | $30,000 | ||
| Sound System | $17,000 | ||
| Landscaping Front Gardens | $5,000 | ||
| Finishing Phase, 2026, Sponsorship Opportunities | |||
| Movie Screen System | $50,000 | ||
| Classroom Fixtures | $20,000 | ||
| Electronic Piano Music Room 1 | $5,000 | ||
| Electronic Piano Music Room 2 | $5,000 | ||
| Movie Projector | $3,000 | ||
| Director's Circle | |||
| Diamond | $20,000+ | Sean & Mary Conway Sullivan, Tom & Amie O'Brien | |
| Platinum | $10,000+ | Community West Foundation/William & Jill Oatey, Lisa Napoli, Mary Ellen French, Thomas & Amie O'Brien | |
| Gold | $5,000+ | David & Karen Brill, Nicholas Noyes, Andrea Richards, William Bonds, Arthur McBride Foundation, Alice McGinty, Walter V. & Judith L. Shipley | |
*Subject to time limits and conditions of written agreement to be approved. Additional opportunities may be available.
Updates
September 9, 2024
Ribbon Cutting Phase 1 – Cleveland.com
Dec 17th, 2019
Warm-up at BAYarts this Winter – Westlake/Bay Village Observer
March 5th, 2019
Devon Gess and Father fund Music Rooms at BAYarts – Westlake/Bay Village Observer
Jan 8th, 2019
The first class in the Playhouse Hearth Room is Spirit Dolls with Janet Wade. Classroom now open and used for ongoing classes.
Dec 19th, 2018
BAYarts’ Future: Why it will take a village – Westlake/Bay Village Observer
Dec 1st, 2018
Phase One is near completion in one month. – Facebook update
Nov 2018
Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle) has been named the Playhouse Campaign Honorary Chair
Aug 21st, 2018
Noted Cleveland architect to design BAYarts expansion in Bay Village – Sun News
Aug 13th, 2018
Naming rights will help transform BAYarts’ expansion of the old Huntington Playhouse – Sun News
July 28th, 2018
Phase I begins.
May 2018
BAYarts updates community on former Playhouse – Westlake-Bay Village Observer
May 2018
BAYarts hosts a Playhouse progress meeting, open to the community.
April 2018
Encore! event fundraiser
March 2018
BAYarts granted $100k for Playhouse from state budget – Westlake-Bay Village Observer
February 2018
Patricia Heaton and David Hunt donate $50,000 as seed money. Read about that here.
January 2018
Bay Men’s Club helps the final clean-up of materials, taken to Savers.
November 2017
Donations made to City Mission.
August 2017
Playhouse Liquidation Sale
August 2017
Press: BAYarts Takes on the Playhouse – Westlake-Bay Village Observer
July 17, 2017
Clean-up begins on interior prop pieces.