Side Street Studio Arts has been awarded $200,000 in state funding for the renovation of its new downtown Elgin location.
The tourism grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will help pay for structural work needed at its 62 S. Grove Ave. building, which the nonprofit is repairing for future use as a venue for art-related events, productions and education.
“These specific funds will go toward demolition, fire protection, framing, electrical, and HVAC work,” said Executive Director Erin Rehberg, who help found the Side Street Studio Arts in 2013.
The studio, which is currently renting about 4,000 square feet of space in a building on Ziegler Court, will nearly quadruple its size once the 15,000-square-foot Grove Street location is repaired and remodeled, she said.
“The (Reva and David) Logan Foundation purchased the building and is leasing it to us for $12 per month, with the goal of Side Street owning it outright in the long term,” Rehberg said.
According to Kane County property tax records, the long-vacant building was sold to the foundation under a special warranty deed for $345,000 on March 10, 2022.
In April 2024, the Elgin City Council approved $500,000 in tax increment financing district funds to help fund the first phase of construction.
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Rehberg said the money won’t be disbursed until the initial $1.95 million phase of the work is complete. That includes the creation of main gallery space on the first floor, installation of new restrooms and an elevator, restoration of the building facade, and updated electrical, plumbing, HVAC and fire suppression systems.
A second entrance on Riverside Drive will be added.
Overall, the entire project is estimated to cost $4.5 million, Rehberg said.
“So far, the roof has been repaired and asbestos has been safely removed,” she said. “We are now finalizing bridge loan support to keep the project moving as secured funds are received at different stages.”
Once the initial phase is complete, work to create additional flexible performance and classroom space, expanded artist studios and administrative offices will be undertaken, Rehberg said.
“We’re actively working to secure the final funding needed to move into these phases with minimal downtime, ideally starting the next stage as soon as Phase One wraps,” she said. “Our goal is to open the main gallery and public gathering spaces by the end of 2026, depending on construction progress and final funding.”
Once open, the building will group all of Side Street’s programs together under one roof.
“We’ll have beautiful galleries, flexible spaces for performances and classes, accessible studios for artists, community gathering rooms and a retail shop for local art,” Rehberg said. “Everything Side Street does now — exhibitions, performances, arts education, artist support, and community gatherings — will happen on a larger scale in spaces that are more accessible for everyone.”
In 2024, more than 17,000 people attended programs and events held by Side Street Studio Arts, Rehberg said. They hosted or produced 148 free or low-cost off-site arts education events for more than 4,500 young artists; 366 free or low-cost on-site arts education events for more than 1,000 artists; and 20 visual art exhibitions featuring more than 300 artists. Work by 56 area artists in its MADE program was showcased.
“We provided over 55 professional development opportunities for staff and local artists, produced 175 performances reaching more than 4,000 audience members, and offered more than 300 hours of donated or discounted space for creative events,” Rehberg said.
“In total, we paid out over $40,000 to local visual and performing artists through the Gallery, MADE, and other projects,” she said.
Side Street also supported seven artists-in-residence, an artist/arts administration intern and five Summer Youth Employment in the Arts staff members. It also held its 11th annual Elgin Fringe Festival, participated in Elgin’s Fourth of July and Pride parades, and oversaw a Nightmare on Chicago Street costume contest.
“Plus, we hosted three open houses at our future home at 62 S. Grove Ave. and launched our first-ever Area 22: Arts, Crafts, and Oddities Fair,” Rehberg said.
State Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin, helped secure the $200,000 state grant for Side Street.
“Side Street Studio Arts is reimagining how inclusivity and art can come together to enhance our downtown area,” Castro said in a news release. “By investing in creative programming, enhanced venues and arts organizations, we’re opening the doors to more exhibits and performances that will sustain Elgin’s economic and cultural strengths now and into the future.”
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.