Phase One
The Amphitheater & The Village Green

   
Phase Two
Mixed Use Building

   
Phase Three
Artist's Village

 

The Scope of the Project

The Foundation’s architectural and theater advisors developed a phased plan complete with construction and operating cost estimates. The Foundation’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the Master Site Plan which encompasses:

1   Amphitheater and The Village Green
2   Multi-Purpose Building with Black Box Theater and Education Classroom Facility
3   Artist Village designed for artist residency programs

Other non-profit community organizations, corporate and private sectors are anticipated to utilize the Cultural Arts Village for cultural and corporate events, weddings and other community functions

Phase One - Amphitheater and Village Green

The Amphitheater and The Village Green will be the main attraction at the Cultural Arts Village, hosting a variety of artistic activities ranging from live concerts, festivals, dance and theatrical productions with seating to accommodate 1,500 attendees (main event lawn) and expanding to accommodate larger audiences with an additional 3,000 lawn seating.

 

 

Economic Impact

The arts are emerging as a powerful component of the communities’ economic life as direct and indirect contributors to the region’s economies. Thriving cultural life enhances the local economic climate, which in turn generates income, jobs, and enhances tax revenue for the state and local governments.

"The Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village will create a showcase that animates the precise movements of a ballerina, infuses the tenor and tone of a symphony performance, and enlivens the drama of a classic story.  This state-of-the-art facility will be a strong economic driver, drawing new visitors to the community, creating new jobs, and generating additional revenue sources through ticket sales, taxes and other fiscal considerations.  It will add to the continuing development of our community's quality of life - creating a new vibrant center as well as a new source of pride."   Patrick Ballasch, Senior Design Principal, DAG Architects. Inc.

An Economic Impact Analysis of the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village (MKCAV) prepared by the Economic Strategy Center, The Research and Analysis Division of NCDS, Inc. demonstrates the extent of the relationship with MKCAV derived from construction activities and visitor and event attendee spending. The construction activities, visitor and event attendee spending are expected to generate jobs and earnings in the local economy.

Campaign Goal - $4 Million

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation has been endorsed with a $1 Million Challenge Grant from the Dugas Family Foundation in support of Phase One - Amphitheater and The Village Green.  This grant is based on a one-for-one match of new contributions through December 31, 2011.  In early 2010, a community kick-off campaign was held with over $150,000 in pledges committed in support of Phase One.

"The vision for the Mattie Kelly Cutlural Arts Village has the potential to be a catalyst for all kinds of art along the Emerald Coast.  In addition, when fully developed, the project can be an important element of economic development for Okaloosa and Walton Counties, benefitting the entire community.  The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation's proactive approach to education outreach and the youth of the community had great appeal to our family."  Cabot Pollard Pyle, The Family Office LLC, Dugas Family Foundation

The total five-year funding estimate of project costs for Phase One – Amphitheater and The Village Green is $4 million. Funding will be developed through the generosity and far-sightedness of some of the area’s most caring benefactors challenged and encouraged by the gift of Mattie Kelly. The facility will usher in a new decade of artistic opportunities in the Destin area and has the potential to become a cultural magnet for all of Northwest Florida.

In addition to its educational, entertainment and inspirational value to residents and visitors, the Cultural Arts Village will have a dramatic and ongoing impact on the region’s economy. The Foundation has every reason to expect a substantial and direct economic impact for the greater Destin area that will extend beyond local boundaries into other regions of the state. The project will result in direct spending during construction, temporary and permanent job creation, direct spending by local and out-of-area visitors and annual operating expenditures once the Cultural Arts Village is complete.

Phase Two

THE MIXED USE BUILDING
will house administrative offices, student art labs, educational classrooms, gallery and meeting space, a sculpture garden and a 350 seat “Black-Box” theater for the performing arts. The Foundation and Okaloosa County School District are currently in pursuit of featuring a performing and visual arts institute for Phase Two.

Phase Three

THE ARTISTS’ VILLAGE
will provide a serene, productive environment for artist residency programs to live and educate the public on the processes and methods of producing art. The preliminary estimate of Project Costs for the complete Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village Development Program is $19 million. The Foundation determined that a phased approach to development of the Cultural Arts Village and fundraising is the
most feasible way to accomplish its larger, long range plan.

PROJECT PARTNERS

The Cultural Arts Village site development plan has been designed by the Destin-based architectural firm, DAG Architects, in concert with the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. DAG Architects was named the 2007 Architect Firm of the Year by the Florida Association of the AIA. Other project partners include the City of Destin, Gustin, Cothern & Tucker and Biological Research Associates.

""With the reality of the vision Mattie Kelly put forth years ago, The Amphitheater and The Village Green will provide the setting to let the voices of art, music and culture ring loud and clear.  This facility will complement the Emerald Coast community to provide an arts base for events and cutlural happenings from ballet, theater, music to art festivals."  Mark Carter, Owner WSBQ-FM Seabreeze Radio & Promoter/Organizer, Seabreeze Jazz Festival

Canopy Covered Seating Capacity
• Seating for 1,100 people theater-style under canopy
• Seating for 750 people “Concerts in the Park” style under canopy
• Seating for 350 people round table banquet style
• VIP Seating under Boxed Canopy Wings

Additional Amenities
• Permanent venue for the Foundation’s Concerts in the Parkand Destin Festival of the Arts • Concession and Restroom Facilities
• Onsite Parking for 468 vehicles & Shared Parking with adjacent