Tuacahn to raise $2.6M for expansion project

IVINS, Washington County — Tuacahn Center for the Arts has launched a $2.6 million fundraising campaign to meet growing audience demand and enrollment at the Tuacahn High School.

The money will pay for the construction of a new arts building and expansion of the amphitheater.

“Last season we had to turn away 20,000 customers due to sold out performances, which represented $600,000 in potential revenue,” said Tuacahn CEO Kevin Smith in a prepared statement. “Our theatrical equity actors have to rehearse in off-site rental studios, and we have filled-to-capacity school facilities with a waiting list of students wanting to attend our award-winning charter high school.”

The Tuacahn expansion project includes a 16,000 square-foot arts center, which will include a music conservatory with practice rooms, dance studio/rehearsal space, visual arts classroom, art gallery space, child care facilities and an expanded gift gallery with restaurant.

The amphitheater expansion will incorporate a total of 200 lawn-style seats that will flank each side of the theater’s existing seating.

More than 240,000 people attended a theatrical production or concert in 2011.