Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
ARTISPHERE
Arlington County Board Approves Public’s Choice, Names New Cultural Center
- Public voted for name
- Renovations begin this month
- Opening scheduled for 10-10-10
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Board today approved the public’s choice of ARTISPHERE as the name of the County’s new cultural center.
“Naming the center, with the public’s help, brings us one step closer to transforming the former Newseum site in Rosslyn,” said County Board Member Jay Fisette. “ARTISPHERE’s vibrant mix of year-round performances, exhibits and events will showcase the arts and spur redevelopment. This center will bring excitement, culture and new life to the neighborhood, to the County and to the region.”
Public voted
With the pro-bono assistance of the PR firm Arnold Worldwide more than 100 proposed names were developed through focus groups, interviews and analysis of local and regional demographics. In keeping with the vision of the new venue as ‘an arts space for everyone,’ Arlington put forward the three top finalists for the center’s name for a public vote. Voting took place between December 17, 2009 and January 10, 2010. Voters cast ballots online, or used paper ballots available in numerous locations throughout the County. With 1,500 electronic and paper ballots recorded, ARTISPHERE was the popular choice from among three candidates previously reviewed by the County Board.
“We’re creating a model for a new kind of cultural center in America,” said Norma Kaplan, Division Chief for Arlington Cultural Affairs. “The name ARTISPHERE begins to brand the Center as a creative ‘atmosphere’ where everyone is invited to enjoy fun, participatory contemporary arts experiences.”
About the Cultural Center
A 62,000 square foot cultural campus that also includes the existing Spectrum Theatre, ARTISPHERE will offer dozens of weekly events, ranging from community-specific and Heritage Arts events, to regular live bands in the 3,000 square foot ballroom. In addition to providing a showcase for national and international contemporary performing and visual artists, ARTISPHERE will house several well-known Arlington-based arts groups. The center also will house the visual arts exhibition program previously located at the Ellipse building in Ballston. It is scheduled to open on 10-10-10.
Rosslyn BID a partner
“Last spring, the members of the Rosslyn BID board made the decision to provide ongoing financial support for the Cultural Center, anticipating that the center will be a great economic success for Arlington,” said Cecilia Cassidy, executive director of the Rosslyn BID. “We are so excited that we now have this great new name, ‘Artisphere’, which we will immediately add to our new signage system for Rosslyn. Getting there will be easy, and it will become the new heart – and soul – of our neighborhood.”
For more information about the Center, call Arlington Cultural Affairs at 703-228-1850 or visit the website.
Press Contact:
Jim Byers 703-228-1847
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.