INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Cabaret and Buckingham Companies officially signed a lease agreement today that will give The Cabaret a prominent, permanent downtown location in the Metzger Building at 9th and Pennsylvania Street in the heart of the evolving Library Square. The new space, which also houses the Arts Council of Indianapolis and Gallery 924, and once served as the Rollerland skating rink from the 1940s to the late 1970s, provides the perfect venue for The Cabaret.
Renovations will begin in August. The Cabaret has engaged RATIO Design to create a setting that embraces the industrial nature of the building while adding touches of decadent glamour for an intimate and urban chic performance space to rival cabaret rooms around the world. The new location will also house The Cabaret’s administrative offices and will allow for ample, adjacent free parking. The Cabaret plans to move into the Metzger Building by the end of 2017 and will open for performances in early 2018.
“I am so proud that we have built such a strong audience for cabaret in Indianapolis and the Midwest in such a short time,” says Shannon Forsell, Artistic Director and CEO of The Cabaret. “A permanent home will be transformative for the organization, providing us greater flexibility and creativity to expand our artistic and educational programming in new and exciting new ways that will allow us to better serve our rapidly growing audience.”
The investment to build out the Metzger Building to create a world-class cabaret is approximately $1.2 million. To date, The Cabaret has secured lead gifts for this project from Glick Philanthropies and Lilly Endowment Inc. The Cabaret’s investment in its own space will broaden its audience and allow more central Indiana patrons the opportunity to experience world-class performers in a unique, intimate setting that only The Cabaret—both as an organization and an art form—can provide.
“The Glick Philanthropies proudly supports the arts in Indianapolis and believes The Cabaret is an important part of the city’s cultural landscape,” said David Barrett, Chair of Glick Philanthropies. “We are pleased to be the lead investor for this transformative project that will expose more people to the world-class artists The Cabaret brings to Indianapolis, and create an exciting hub for arts and creativity.”
The Cabaret has experienced significant audience growth over the last several years making the move critical. Audiences for performances and education programs have grown 80 percent. The annual operating budget has increased 38 percent since 2009 thanks to robust ticket sales and significant growth in contributed income. Moving to the Metzger Building will not only support The Cabaret’s growth but also promote the vibrancy of Indianapolis’s art scene and support community redevelopment.
The evolving Library Square neighborhood located at 9th Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania Streets is centered around creative office, gallery and cultural space, featuring historic loft and new construction apartments, restaurants, public art and a living alley. “Buckingham is thrilled to welcome The Cabaret to Library Square. Art and culture are at the center of this newly evolving neighborhood, and The Cabaret is an excellent venue for both locals and visitors to experience these artists. The addition of The Cabaret and The Congress at Library Square has quickly established itself as a hotspot to experience the arts just outside your doorstep,” said Brad Chambers, President & Chief Executive Officer of Buckingham Companies.
The Arts Council was immediately supportive of The Cabaret’s move, and offered to share its entrance off of Pennsylvania Street, allowing for a complete redesign of the Arts Council’s entrance and bathrooms, which will now become shared space for The Cabaret, Arts Council, and Gallery 924. This will provide The Cabaret with much needed street visibility and greater access to the space for patrons and visitors. By sharing the space, The Cabaret and the Arts Council will greatly increase the opportunities for deeper engagement with the arts and cultural community. The new location will allow for exciting and unique programming partnerships with The Arts Council and with several other arts organizations in need of performance and rehearsal space.
“The Arts Council board voted unanimously to ‘throw open the doors’ to The Cabaret,” said Dave Lawrence, Arts Council President and CEO. “The possibilities are seemingly endless for the many ways we can work together to enhance both our organizations’ missions and, ultimately, increase the exposure and engagement of many more residents and visitors to the arts. Our joint efforts, coupled with the new development of the Phoenix Theatre at nearby 9th and Illinois Street, will catalyze a new cultural district on the north side of downtown.”
Relocation to this space will allow The Cabaret to create a world-class performance venue for the artists it brings to Indianapolis. The Cabaret will build on its national reputation among artists for having one of the best cabaret rooms in the country, with excellent sound and lighting, a first rate staff and crew, and the warm reception that performers receive from Indianapolis patrons. Additionally, The Cabaret will help anchor the Library Square neighborhood’s amenities, providing a unique art experience benefits to new and existing residents and office and retail neighbors, spur further development, and facilitate partnerships between other Buckingham properties such as The Alexander Hotel.
About The Cabaret: The Cabaret is a professional, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and Indiana’s only organization dedicated to the art of professional cabaret performance. The mission of The Cabaret is to elevate and promote the cabaret art form by presenting the finest in professional cabaret performances and developing the next generation of cabaret artists. The Cabaret’s vision is to be recognized as a premier national and international cabaret organization. For more information, visit www.thecabaret.org.
About the Arts Council of Indianapolis: The Arts Council is an organization that advocates for the need and importance of broad community funding and support for a thriving arts scene; connects artists, audiences, businesses, foundations, and arts and cultural organizations with opportunities to expand central Indiana’s creative vitality; and innovates by constantly pursuing and promoting programs that catalyze creative growth in central Indiana. For more information, visit www.indyarts.com.
About Buckingham Companies: Founded in 1984, Buckingham is a full service, fully integrated real estate company that includes the development, acquisition, management and construction of a wide range of property types including multifamily, student housing and mixed-use communities. Buckingham manages nearly $1 billion of real estate assets for its own account, clients and institutional partners. Buckingham has managed more than 90 properties consisting of nearly 20 million square-feet of property and approximately 15,000 rental units nationwide. Additionally, the affiliated Buckingham Foundation annually supports more than 45 nonprofit and civic organizations through philanthropic outreach in the areas of affordable housing, community and economic development, and arts and culture. For more information, visit www.buckingham.com.