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The idea of establishing an
art center in downtown Sterling began four years ago with six people
brainstorming around a kitchen table.
The group's first fundraiser was a Sloppy Joe Supper, which netted
$300. Over the next year, the Studio 96 Board raised enough to
purchase the old Ben Franklin building at public auction for $22,000.
In 2008, Studio 96 won a Small Community Improvement Program Grant
worth $125,000 and, in 2009, won a Kan-Step Grant worth $300,000. |
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All the renovations were
accomplished with volunteer labor and the workers logged over $400,000
worth of labor with t e Kansas Department of Commerce.
Adding in fundraising, membership drives, donations and memorials,
the renovated building is a $900,000 facility for Sterling.
Clelia McCrory has served as grant administrator for Studio 96.
Sterling Bulletin article 1/26/12 |
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May 2009 - Kansas Dept of
Commerce State visit
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Over 80
community residents participated in the The Kansas Department of
Commerce site visit in response to an application for a Kan Step
grant to restore and renovate a downtown building under the
Small Cities Community Development Program.
The Studio 96 and Sterling Community Center project is seeking
approval for a grant that will provide funds to complete the
ground floor work on the former Duckwall's building. The
approximate $158,000 grant (of which 40 percent must be provided
by volunteer sweat labor) will provide a Community Center and
Art Center.
Salih Doughramaji, KDOC field services coordinator, spoke to the
group concerning the grant process and the next steps after
grant approval. The finished cement floor and new roof
were a positive indication of what volunteers have already been
able to accomplish towards the construction. Mr.
Doughramaji praised the quality and completion of those
projects. According to Kenneth L. Morgan, KDOC audit
specialist, a combination art center/community center would be
the first such project funded by a KDOC grant.
Studio 96 purchased the building at a tax auction November 2007.
The original plan for an art center has expanded to include a
community center. |
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