Artified!

The Chillicothe Center for the Arts is a 501.c.3 corporation established in the Fall of 2018 with the sole purpose of providing a  home for any and all arts-related individuals or groups to operate -  to allow them to come together in a single place and to generate a creative synergy.   But more than that, we want to give the Chillicothe community an opportunity to experience the arts in a collective format that is greater than the individual parts.

The Chillicothe Center for the Arts wants to be operationally and functionally invisible.  We want to provide not only a rent-free HOME for other arts-related non-profit organizations, but also give residence to visual and audio commercial arts businesses, with THEIR names on the doors and in the windows. 

ARTIFIED!  is not just a proper-noun for the home where the arts organizations and for-profit businesses to come together.  It’s MUCH more than that –

ARTIIED! is also an action verb for evoking or conjuring up communal inspiration.  “To be ARTIFIED” is to metamorphose into something sensually pleasing.  Being a part of ARTIFIED is you growing in association with other creative forces to become an element of a larger, synergetic, and dynamic creative atmosphere.  ARTIFIED! is a place,  a state of mind, and a process where “status quo” is discouraged.

So how do you do all that? 

The downtowns of many great, great cities and communities have spiraled into decline when they had fallen into disrepair.  The storefronts become vacant, windows get broken, property values decline, and they become a place where resale stores begin to proliferate until they go belly-up.  The very core of the community loses its attraction for businesses that could otherwise provide energetic and upscale shopping experiences for a thriving and growing community.

So ARTIFY would reverse those spiraling dynamics in what has recently been designated as the Kelly Poling Arts District in the 400-block of Locust Street.  It would change that downward spiral - to one of optimism and hope.  A place to shop in an atmosphere of safety and culture.

So to do that, the Chillicothe Center for the Arts developed a strategy to convert the Adams building into a unique creative center.

Here’s the vision:

The very top floor would house a community stage for an intimate community theatre.  Chillicothe has an A-1 theater at the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center – or the PAC.  We love going there; but it can, out of necessity be an expensive venue, and can thus exclude its use for smaller community productions.

The theater at ARTIFIED! would bring a more intimate setting for those smaller productions - local productions of a community theater group or a community jazz band, a personal event or rehearsals.  Or even a Thursday night karaoke night?

The second floor with all of its glass windows would be perfect for someone wanting a restaurant space as both a destination restaurant and as one that comports thematically with the downtown Kelly Poling Arts District and suiting the needs of ARTIFIED! shoppers.

On the bottom floor is not only space for arts organizations and councils, but also for rent for a music store and studios for music teachers to mentor their students.

What about a record emporium, an arts and crafts supply store, Photo studio and gallery, a quilt shop or fabric art store and gallery?  Maybe a small stand-up bistro with tables on the sidewalk, or a maze of glass-walled office space or subscription meeting rooms and office space.  Maybe even office space to rent by the hour or shared with other budding entrepreneurs.  The variety of opportunities brings together an energy that attracts not only creative entrepreneurs but also is an inspiration to customers.  Inspiration Unleashed!

So, this is the Artification of Chillicothe; a breath of fresh, invigorating air to downtown.  The Chillicothe Center for the Arts needs your help;  Chillicothe, working cooperatively as an organic and socially synergetic community can work to revitalize the very core, the heart of the most innovative city in Missouri.  If you’d like to become a part of this inspiration, be a part of the Artification process and unleashing that inspiration, please consider donating below.  Your donation will be used for the acquisition and metamorphosis of the Adams building into Artify!  As a 501.c.3 your donations may be tax  deductible.  And Thank You!  

Rodney J Mouton, President, Chillicothe Center for the Arts

Note:  Donors will donate through PayPal Giving Fund, which will provide you with tax receipts.