THE NEED: The City of Everett has no downtown public gathering place and identified the need to increase the vibrancy of the downtown core. So in their 2006 Downtown Everett Economic Development Plan, the City conceived a solution: The Everett Performing and Visual Arts Plaza. The Plaza, featuring fountains and amphitheatres will be under construction this winter, and unifies two theater buildings owned by the City and operated by Village Theatre, into a cultural town square.

To activate the City’s vision, Village Theatre was asked to renovate the interior of an old bank building adjacent to the park site into a 170-seat theatre and youth education center. Village Theatre will be an essential partner in bringing the new Plaza to life, manifesting a full calendar of diverse, free and affordable performing and visual arts experiences including community events, conferences, concerts, festivals, lectures, film festivals, theater-in-the-park for young audiences, and Village Originals Workshops. The City of Everett and Village Theatre will collaborate to produce events that will take place year-round, inside and out.

The goal is to fully activate the Plaza into a bustling and eventful cultural town square that brings the community together and makes a long-term economic impact by increasing the vibrancy of the City. To accomplish this, Village Theatre must raise capital to complete the building, purchase equipment and hire the personnel necessary for the myriad events inside and out. Additionally, contributions will clear the construction loan secured to stay on the project’s timeline after 60% of capital had been raised.

The $2.8 million dollar Capital initiative is phase III of Village Theatre’s 12 million dollar campaign. It is an opportunity for the community to actively participate in invigorating downtown, and improving the quality of life for generations to come.