Capital Campaign

A Little History

The Norwalk Theater was completed in 1941 and was a popular entertainment destination first as a moviehouse and then a venue for live entertainment. Designed by architect John Eberson, its resplendent marquee is the largest of its kind in the state of Ohio. Eberson specialized in atmospheric movie palaces early in his career and moved to design in the Art Deco style in the late 1930s. The Streamline Moderne style, a subset of Art Deco, was reserved by Mr. Eberson for only a small number of the hundreds of theaters he designed throughout the United States. Of those hundreds, only about 30 Eberson theaters are still in existence and even less in the Streamline Moderne style. The city of Norwalk and Huron County is fortunate to have one of these rare gems in its county seat, but it is in crisis.

Closed to the public since 2009, the facilities have fallen into severe disrepair. Norwalk Arts Center has an extensive plan for restoring the theater to create a multi-use space to house events, live entertainment, movies, and arts education.

Norwalk Arts Center Mission

It is the mission of Norwalk Arts Center to celebrate and increase advocacy for the arts in North Central Ohio by providing education, experiences, and environments for artistic growth.

Case Statement

In 2019 the Norwalk Arts Center purchased the historic Schine Theater with the intention of restoring it to its 1941 grandeur so it can serve as a center for the performing arts, for arts education and for community events for all of Huron County and the surrounding region.

This restoration will create a beautiful upscale venue that will inspire and connect people to one another and to the arts, bringing together many generations for creative, artistic development and cultural opportunities.

Share our Vision

We will put Norwalk and all of Huron County on the map as a destination for the performing arts. Performers and performances of the highest quality will be offered in the Norwalk Arts Center. As advocates for the arts, we will expand opportunities for education in all areas including theater, music, dance, and the visual arts.

Preserve the Historic Schine Theater

We will link the past and the present with our expressed goal of saving this important landmark of Huron County History. We will transform this local treasure into a modern, well equipped Performing Arts Center and restore its function as a center of entertainment not only for Norwalk, but for all of Huron County thereby enhancing our quality of life.

Offer Opportunities in the Arts

We will enhance arts education throughout Huron County for residents of all ages, from preschoolers to senior citizens. A full array of services will include theatrical, musical, visual, and cultural opportunities to open our eyes and hearts to new events and experiences. We envision bringing these encounters directly into our lives:

Naming Rights Opportunities

It is the mission of Norwalk Arts Center to celebrate and increase advocacy for the Arts in North Central Ohio by providing education, experiences and environments for artistic growth.