Steinberg Hart is thrilled to announce the opening of the Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius, North Carolina. The facility, which has been designed by Steinberg Hart in partnership with local Charlotte, North Carolina firm C Design, has been eagerly awaited by the community and is set to become the cultural hub of Cornelius and the Lake Norman region.
The Cain Center for the Arts will host a variety of cultural events, including concerts, theater productions, art exhibitions, and more. The facility features a 400-seat theater with state-of-the-art technology and acoustics, an art gallery, and green space. The center has been designed to be accessible to everyone, with a focus on providing a space for all members of the community to experience the arts.
“It’s just wonderful. It’s a great culmination of years of work by the community by our staff by our team here,” said director Justin Dionne to WSOC-TV.
The Cain Center for the Arts is a reflection of the rich cultural heritage of Cornelius, and Steinberg Hart has taken great care to ensure that the building is both functional and beautiful. Fronting on the last remaining early 20th century cotton mill, a shaped green space provides for civic, community, and arts presentations. Ample power for food trucks and lighting are features on the site. A sloping green lawn accommodates family seating and a platform with essential infrastructure hosts informal and staged performances. The 36 by 75 foot stage can extend beyond the house curtain out into the seating area, and specially designed platforming allows more than proscenium type stage presentations. A flexible stage can house informal cabaret, solo performers, community receptions and banquets, sales and rental events, and fold down seating provides adjustability in the orchestra level while 130 balcony seats remain fixed. At both levels, support spaces surround the theater. A dance studio, classrooms, gallery, Board Room, and meeting spaces allow for full engagement in the arts. All interior spaces, except for the theater, look out to the Festival Street, formal plaza, and landscaped green space, linking the facility to the town center.
The opening of the Cain Center for the Arts was a momentous occasion for Cornelius. The center was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries, including Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam. The ceremony was followed by the center’s inaugural performance to a sold-out audience, featuring Broadway Star Renee Elise Goldsberry, best known as the singer-dancer-actor in the role of Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton. The performance was a testament to the center’s commitment to providing high-quality cultural events for the community. Steinberg Hart Principal Delia Nevola, Partner Malcolm Holzman, and Project Architect Sarah Farnham were in attendance for the opening events.
Steinberg Hart is proud to have been a part of this important project and to have helped bring the vision of the Cain Center for the Arts to life. This cultural catalyst functions as a destination and supports surrounding community redevelopment. The firm is dedicated to creating buildings that make a positive impact on the communities they serve, and the Cain Center for the Arts is a testament to that commitment.
The opening of the Cain Center for the Arts is just the latest in a series of successful arts and culture projects for Steinberg Hart. If you are interested in learning more about the Cain Center for the Arts, visit www.cainarts.org. You can also view a recent WCNC story on the Cain Center for the Arts opening on YouTube.
