{"id":407040,"date":"2025-11-26T23:19:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T23:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/407040\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T23:19:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T23:19:15","slug":"creatives-call-for-light-to-return-to-fort-worths-darkened-community-arts-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/407040\/","title":{"rendered":"Creatives call for light to return to Fort Worth\u2019s darkened community arts center"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fort Worth stage actor Karen Matheny, 37, said she owes her entire career to the Fort Worth Community Arts Center.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She spent most of her early 20s working for Amphibian Stage and later the Stolen Shakespeare Guild when both organizations were based inside the arts center<\/a>. A running joke among Matheny\u2019s colleagues was that she had a cot in the basement of the building, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But anytime she thinks about the arts center now, she can\u2019t help but feel emotional.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The city-owned building, located in the Cultural District, closed its doors to the public last December<\/a> as the property is in need of roughly $30 million in repairs. A 2022 assessment found the center faces problems with its plumbing, electrical and mechanical infrastructure<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although the closure has felt like a death in the family, Matheny said, the actor is fighting to restore the building as a central part of the Fort Worth arts community.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Matheny was one of nearly 30 local artists and arts leaders who gathered at Amphibian Stage in the Near Southside Nov. 25 to discuss the history of the building and ways to advocate for its future.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Wesley Kirk, a longtime advocate for the arts center, led the meeting to strategize talking points to bring forth to council members during the city\u2019s last public comment meeting of the year<\/a> at 5 p.m. Dec. 2.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to be the first people that (City Council) hears from,\u201d he said. \u201cThey have to ask the arts community what we need and want for the building.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The gathering came on the heels of Fort Worth officials confirming that the city\u2019s property management department did not move forward with leasing the community arts center to Texas Christian University<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The university was exploring the center as a temporary site when the school\u2019s Ed Landreth Hall undergoes renovations next year<\/a>. Fort Worth management decided not to proceed after a review of longer-term impacts and questions about the condition of the building, city officials said.<\/p>\n

TCU spokesperson Greg Staley declined to comment on the artists\u2019 advocacy efforts and whether the university would revisit Fort Worth\u2019s property management department for a new lease proposal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are in no discussions to utilize this space,\u201d he said via email.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chief city spokesperson Sana Syed did not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n

\"\"Wesley Kirk asks artists and arts advocates in attendance at the Nov. 25 gathering what key points they want to share at the upcoming public comment meeting. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n

Kirk said his top priority is getting TCU to temporarily occupy and renovate the building to prevent further deterioration as city management works out a long-term plan for the property. The building\u2019s closure has left a gap for local emerging artists<\/a>, he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cTCU would benefit, the city would benefit. It literally solves so many problems,\u201d he said. \u201cThat buys us time to get the community arts center back the way that we need it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some advocates at the Nov. 25 meeting said public speakers should emphasize the historical value of the center since the building opened in 1954.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Others noted that the building\u2019s size should be a key point since other Fort Worth arts spaces don\u2019t have the same amount of amenities. The center featured nine galleries and two theaters, including the 468-seat W.E. Scott Theatre.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Arts Fort Worth board chair Megan Henderson agreed with all the priorities, noting that all advocates preparing to speak at public comment should carry a unified message across their three-minute presentations.<\/p>\n

The arts organization managed the building for over two decades before determining that repairs were too significant and continuing operations was not financially sustainable<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we are showing up with a unified voice, you may have a different interpretation of how to convey the message, but the actual message itself needs to be something where there\u2019s some synergy,\u201d Henderson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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