Cornerstone Receives $100,000 Ball Bros. Grant

Cornerstone Center for the Arts was recently awarded a $100,000 Ball Brothers Foundation grant to assist with the cost of a new HVAC (heating, ventilation, and cooling) System. This grant will allow Cornerstone to provide a more adequate facility for its community-focused activities.

Serious problems have plagued the current system for the past year several years. Terry Whitt Bailey, President & CEO of Cornerstone Center for the Arts explained, "Cornerstone's HVAC has become unpredictable to non-working. This grant will allow us to begin upgrading the system by replacing the compressor, and installing a new 10 ton fan coil unit that will provide adequate and reliable heating and cooling to our building." Cornerstone's Executive Committee selected Conatser Heating & Cooling, Inc. as the contractor for this assignment, and they began work last week.

In 2006, Cornerstone Center for the Arts welcomed 85,000 visitors through its doors. Cornerstone has seen a 52% increase in guests to their facility and a 135% increase in individuals involved in arts programming over the past four years.

Through creative arts programming and family-friendly special events, Cornerstone makes a conscious effort to reach people of all races, ages, cultures, and socio-economic levels. "We are proud to be the center of activity in downtown Muncie," Bailey says, "and want to maintain our ability to create community connections through our education programs, rental facilities, and special events."

If you would like more information about this event, or to schedule an interview, please contact Terry Whitt Bailey at 765-281-9503 or email Terry at tbailey@cornerstonearts.org