$5M Donation Will Help Revitalize Westfield's Center For Creativity

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield's project to revitalize the Center for Creativity at the Rialto just received a huge boost, as an anonymous resident donated $5 million to the iconic site.

This "transformative gift" will allow the Center to finalize its long-term plans to reinvent the historic Rialto Theater as a "multidisciplinary, community-focused arts center."

After serving as a Westfield staple since 1922, The Rialto Theater shuttered in 2019 due to a dispute between a tenant and landlord.

The Westfield Arts Collective purchased the theater last year with plans to provide a new "creative workplace" to residents in that space. The group has already made strides to revitalize the building, such as hiring artists to paint the Artist Alley at the Rialto to transform the pedestrian alley between East Broad Street and the parking lot into a permanent public mural installation.

The $5 million donation will help spark the Center for Creativity's anticipated capital fundraising campaign, as well as allow the Center to complete short-term repairs to allow for limited interim programming, according to the announcement.

Following the agreement to purchase the Rialto building in late 2021, the Center issued a Request for Proposals for strategic planning assistance and subsequently began working with Webb Mgmt, an arts planning firm with 25 years of experience in community-based arts projects, in spring of 2022.

The product of this work will be a strategic plan that provides a roadmap for the Center’s future, both in terms of the building’s renovations and its planned programming to celebrate and elevate the arts in Westfield.

“This donation is a game-changer for our ability to bring the beloved Rialto back to life and turbo-charge the arts scene in Westfield,” said Beth Cassie, board president of the Center for Creativity. “We are deeply grateful for the incredible generosity of this donor, and we hope it will inspire others to join our fundraising efforts when we share our plans with the community so that we can all bring our vision for the Rialto to life.”

According to the announcement, the closing on the purchase of the Rialto building was delayed several months as a result of severe flood in the building's basement that occurred in Jan. 2022. While necessary repairs were being addressed, the Center for Creativity team continued to plan for interim uses for the building, including an anticipated partnership with local artist Ricardo Roig.

“I’m excited about being a part of the Rialto’s future, and I envision activating unused portions of the building to feature visually-dynamic artists creating, teaching, and exhibiting their art for the public,” said Roig in a statement.

The Center plans to host limited programming in the lobby and theater, while repair work continues on the building, which includes some upcoming AddamsFest events.

Anyone interested in learning more and seeing how to get involved with the Center for Creativity can obtain information at www.centerforcreativity.art.

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