The Peoria community celebrated the opening of the Romain Arts and Culture Community Center in the old Greeley School in the North Valley neighborhood today.
Jonathon and Nikki Romain purchased the former school building last year to transform it into a hub for the arts, education, business, and community events.
Nikki Romain said she hopes kids in Peoria take a lot away from the new community center.
“The kids need a safe place to go after school, they need a place to go for summer camp, and we’re providing that. And the art is just the carrot. We want to be able to instill in them life skills and anything like the kids can come in, just to have a mentor problem, if they have any issues they want to deal with, we’re here for that," she said.
Romain says she also wants to let kids know that visual and performing arts can be not just a hobby, but a career.
The Romains have partnered with Peoria Public Schools to provide after-school programs in yoga, visual arts, dance, drama, videography, and music classes. The community center has also employed about 20 artists in the past year.
The Illinois State University Center for Mathematics, Science & Technology, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Program, Peoria PlayHouse, Big Picture, Children's Home, Boys and Girls Club, and Neighborhood House are other partners.
To find out more about the Romain Arts and Culture Community Center, click here to vist ART Inc.'s website.
