Art Center looks to state grant program to finish its vision - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

The Sioux City Art Center is about to undergo a major expansion.

Plans are to demolish the annex, and build a brand new, six-million dollar facility attached to the main building. 

It will hold all of the Art Center's education programs.  Officials say there's a real need for after school classes and adult education programs in the evening, but right now, the Art Center closes at four.

"The purpose is to increase public access to the art center's education programs.  We'll be able to run that building seven days a week every night," said Art Center Director Al Harris-Fernandez.

Officials say the project will also open up more space in the main building for their permanent exhibits.

The idea to build a learning center was first pitched in 2004 with a completion date set for 2008.

With the project relying heavily on private donations, it was put on hold because of the fundraising effort for the Public Museum.

The Learning Center is now set to open between 2014 and 2016.

The Art Center board is applying for a Vision Iowa grant of just over a million dollars to complete their fundraising goals.