Wirth Center Investing In Creative Spaces For Local Artists

ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- We told you last month that the Wirth Center for the Performing Arts has officially bought the former Daniel Building on 7th Avenue in downtown St. Cloud.

Read More: Update: Wirth Center Acquires Daniel Building In St. Cloud |

Executive Director James Newman says they are not just buying a building, they're making an investment in downtown St. Cloud's creative future.

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He says the main floor will be a space for recitals open to the public, as well as other shows.

We intend to get a catering prep kitchen installed so we can do music and entertainment-type events.  We'll have that space available for rent for other organizations looking for an event space.

Newman says the second floor will be an arts hub for visual artists.

Where there will be studios and classroom space, and some retail space, even for artists to display their art.

The basement will be used as a recording studio and a practice room for bands.

The artist space could be available for artists to start moving in by the end of this month. The Wirth Center plans to move in during the month of May. Newman says the goal is to have the entire building completed by the summer of 2027.

They've raised about $1.7 million toward their $3 million "Space to Create" goal. A fundraising event is planned for May, with more details about that to be released soon.

The Wirth Center for the Performing Arts has been around since 1981, with most of that time located in the Mary Center.