Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) today broke ground on a new 22,000-square-foot art center in the heart of downtown Rockport — the first original facility to be built for the celebrated 52-year-old non-profit — with construction slated to begin immediately on the 1.18-acre site. 

RCA Executive Director Luis Purón and the RCA Board of Directors were joined for the ceremony by City of Rockport Mayor Patrick R. Rios, City Manager Kevin Carruth along with other city officials, as well as Aransas County Judge C.H. “Burt” Mills and other members of the Aransas County Long Term Recovery Team.

With completion scheduled for mid-2022, the new $8.7 million RCA will be home to hallmark programs in the 13,000-square-foot visual arts and art education complex, as well as an 8,000-square-foot performing arts facility and convention center featuring a culinary arts education kitchen and multiple break out rooms for meeting space. In addition, there will be a 16,000-square-foot outdoor sculpture garden housing works from the permanent collection of sculptural works by nationally and internationally recognized artists.  

Richter Architects of Corpus Christi designed the new coastal contemporary facility, with Teal Construction Company, also of Corpus Christi, serving as the general contractor for the project.

“The new art center is something we have been talking about and planning since before Hurricane Harvey destroyed our original harbor front facility in 2017,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “We are building modern facilities that will allow us to expand the breadth of our programs, primarily the performing arts and the culinary arts. These facilities will also serve to attract business tourism to Rockport, during the mid-week timeframe, something that has been lacking in Rockport’s vast array of tourism offerings.”

Identified as an anchor for downtown economic revitalization, the new facilities will also create many job opportunities for creatives working in the fields of administration, sales, visual arts, arts education, performing arts, cinematic arts, culinary arts, and convention facility administration and destination management. 

“The building of a new Rockport Center for the Arts is a major step in the recovery from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey,” said Rockport Mayor Pat Rios. “Our community will have a beautiful new facility that will showcase our dedication to the arts and be home for local and visiting artists. I am extremely proud of everyone that has worked so hard to make this happen.”

Although unable to attend, Congressman Michael Cloud provided a statement regarding the new project. “There is a very distinct and vibrant art culture in Rockport, and the Art Center is at the center of that. For years, it has provided opportunities and resources by displaying local art work, cultivating creativity among students, and contributing to the tourism industry that abounds in Rockport. I want to express my gratitude to all those who made this day possible. I look forward to returning to Rockport soon to see the new Art Center for myself.” 

Funding for the new facility comes from many private and public sources. Following the summer 2017 loss of the original 5,762-square-foot facility near Rockport Harbor, RCA engaged in a silent capital campaign. From March 2018 to August 2020, approximately $4.4 million was raised through major gifts from private, corporate, and foundation contributions, with the public fundraising phase of the Imagine campaign now officially kicking off. The City of Rockport and Aransas County Long Term Recovery Team provided assistance in the effort, partnering with RCA to help secure a $5 million grant from the United States Department of Commerce–Economic Development Administration (EDA). Additional disaster recovery funding came via the State of Texas General Land Office, which will provide a generous public parking area one-block away from the new campus.

“We invite everyone to visit the Imagine Capital Campaign page on our website where one can find a full set of renderings, a video of the new facility, investors, and information on how to contribute and be part of the capital project’s success,” said Purón.

On May 20, 2019 —RCA’s 50th Anniversary — the Capital Campaign Committee formed the 50ROCK! Society made up of individuals, families and partner organizations with close ties to RCA. The Society’s aim is to be the cornerstone for the organization’s future by making a significant investment in the membership’s ability to explore their creative spirit. Through member donations ranging from $10,000 to $39,000, $760,000 has already been raised. “Opportunities to invest at that level are being offered for a limited time,” Purón said. “We are thankful to all of the Texas families that are the cornerstone of our community and have made a significant investment in our future.”

About the Imagine Capital Campaign

Following the 2017 devastation brought by Hurricane Harvey to the Texas Coastal Bend, which included the loss of the Rockport Center for the Arts facility, the RCA Board of Directors in March 2018 challenged the State of Texas to Imagine the future for Arts, Culture and the Humanities, subsequently launching a major gift campaign with the goal of building a new RCA campus in the heart of downtown Rockport. Through August 2020, the campaign raised approximately $4.4 million through private, corporate and foundation donations with public fundraising set to begin in the public phase following groundbreaking on the new RCA facility.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

From December 2017 to December 2019, RCA occupied the historic Kline’s Cafe Building (KCB) on the current site, hosting ambitious Arts programming in a mere 2,000 square feet of space. The 1940s-era KCB is in the process of being moved to a new location in Rockport, a joint effort between RCA and its eventual owner, Upside Ventures LLC, of Austin, Texas.

Rockport Center for the Arts has moved temporarily to 401 S. Austin Street at the Baker Law Building, first floor, while awaiting the completion of the new facility.  Hours of operation for the temporary galleries are Tuesday–Thursday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday and Sat 10 a.m.– 5 p.m., and  Sunday, noon–4 p.m. Admission is free. Visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519 for more information.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Artist renderings of the new RCA are available at rockportartcenter.com/imagine for media download and use.