Venice Theatre Purchases Former Hamilton Building, Ensuring Continued Growth of Education and Outreach Programs

Venice Theatre signed the final closing papers on the Arts Education Building, formerly the Hamilton Building. The City of Venice sold the building, located directly behind the theatre, for $1.06 million. The theatre plans to renovate the 9,518-square-foot structure, which most recently housed the temporary Venice Library, into a new home for its growing Education & Outreach Department.

Present at The Boone Law Firm for the closing were the city’s Realtor, Linda Emery of Ian Black Real Estate; Laura B. Kopple, Venice Theatre’s President and Realtor; Lynn Crandall, Venice Theatre’s Treasurer; Jack Pilkington and Tish Murphy from Sabal Palm Bank; and Annette Boone, Steve Boone, and Stuart Boone, VT’s legal team.

When the City of Venice decided to sell the former Hamilton Building, it quickly became apparent to Producing Executive Director Murray Chase that his dream of expanding Venice Theatre’s campus could become a reality. “We’re ready for, and we need, the VT campus. It’s a campus where volunteers and artists rehearse and perform in one building, we build the productions in another building, and we teach theatre and life skills in yet a third building, one designed for education,” explains Chase.

Venice Theatre anticipates launching a community appeal called “The Next Act” in the coming months to improve and enhance the campus, which now includes the Main Building, The Theatre Crafts Building where scenery and props are built and stored, and the Arts Education Building. Although some spaces have already been reserved, there are naming opportunities available for all three buildings.

The theatre is taking the necessary steps to begin renovating the Arts Education Building to the needs and specifications of its Education & Outreach Department, which offers classes, camps, and workshops for kindergarteners through adults as well as a variety of community outreach programs. Director of Education Sandy Davisson sees “The Next Act” as a bridge to secure learning environments and instruction that is more specialized for individual students. “More space allows us to broaden and diversify our arts curriculum, offer more convenient times for classes, and collaborate with a greater number of organizations,” she shares,

With the purchase of the new building, Davisson, Chase and the rest of the Venice Theatre staff and volunteers are poised to develop a world-class campus for future generations to enjoy.