JCC Awarded County Visitors Bureau Capital Grant
Published: September 27, 2016
Funds will help replace the fire curtain in the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium.
Johnston Community College has received a $33,500 capital grant from the Johnston County Visitors Bureau.
As part of the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium major renovation, this project will replace the proscenium safety curtain, also known as the fire curtain.
The Tart Building, which houses the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium, is undergoing a $9.4 million renovation including the roof, heating and air, plumbing, electrical systems, and restrooms. A combination of local bond money, state bond funds, and county appropriations is funding these components of the building renovation.
The total cost of the safety curtain is $100,000. JCC will use county bond funds and a private gift contributed by Donnie and Linda Lassiter of Selma to fully fund it.
The vision of the Auditorium is to become the recognized cultural hub and authority for Johnston County and the surrounding region for cultural enrichment through performing arts, while being widely renowned for excellence in creative programming, education, collaboration, responsiveness and leadership development of the arts and as a center for professional and emerging talent.
The Auditorium was closed completely from mid-June 2015 until February 2016 for basic
repairs. JCC plans to close the Auditorium for six months each year for the next two
years to complete all the needed repairs while still serving some audiences.
The new safety curtain will help complete the needed renovations and allow JCC to
reinvigorate the CMS and Concert Series.
The next public event, a Christmas CMS, will be held Saturday, Dec. 10, at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.