August 28, 2023
The City of Lakeville announces that it is purchasing the Alternative Learning Center (ALC) building, located next to the Lakeville Area Arts Center on Holyoke Avenue in downtown Lakeville. The purchase from Lakeville Area Schools, ISD 194, is set to close on September 8. The new space will be a dedicated Fine Arts facility for the Lakeville Area Arts Center.
With hundreds of students on art class waitlists, the Arts Center quickly outgrew its current space. The new space increases classroom capacity from two rooms to eight classrooms and includes new rehearsal areas for theater and dance. It also adds new pottery capabilities and new equipment, which increases the quality of their existing programs and expands the capability for new programs.
“We are excited for the new addition. Our popular classes, like pottery and theater camps, always fill to capacity,” Scarlett Larson, Recreation Program Coordinator for the Arts Center recently said. “The increase of space will allow us to meet demand and plan for future growth, including adding new and exciting classes to our offerings.” Some of those classes include fiber arts, glass and dance.
Annually, fine art education accommodates over 1,200 registrations in 200 classes offered. Programming will now increase by 80-90% in the next year. It also allows for extra space for display areas, storage, dressing rooms and rehearsal space. There will also be a dedicated space to shop for art and supplies, furthering the mission of supporting local artists.
“The ALC building requires very few modifications. It’s in great shape for our needs,” said Joe Masiarchin, Arts Center Manager. “We are utilizing registration income, donations, grant funds and sponsorships to outfit the classrooms. This also includes a generous donation of $21,000 from the Friends of the Lakeville Area Arts Center.”
The main Arts Center building will remain for performing arts and will be known as the Performing Arts Building, while the new facility will be called the Fine Arts Building.
City staff will transition all fall classes to the new Fine Arts Building from September to October, with many classes starting in the new facility upon closing.
The public is invited to learn more during the Lakeville Art Festival on Saturday, September 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, September 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the grounds of the Performing Arts Building, 20965 Holyoke Avenue. For more information on specific tour times, visit LakevilleArtFestival.org
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Lakeville is a south suburb of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. It is the largest city in Dakota County with a population of over 73,828.
