Purpose
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ARCO isn't just for the community it means it.
ARCO - Portmanteau of ARTS and COMMUNITY
Just as ARCO combines the words ‘arts’ and ‘community’, we also combine the arts and community within our space. While ARCO is home to MYC, it is also a space for the community as a whole, for us to connect, learn from each other, and develop a common interest.
ARCO - (Spanish and Italian) Arc, Arch, Bow
When looking at the front of ARCO you will see the beautiful tan arches formed by the brick, but is only part of the reason for the name choice. Because ARCO is also the home to MYCincinnati Orchestra performances, we wanted to honor them in our name by referencing the artists bow.
your booking gives back to price hill
The proceeds raised through ARCO venue rentals directly impacts the public programming Price Hill Will brings to this community space.
By booking at ARCO, your wedding, private event, or company party gives back to our community by allowing us to sponsor arts performances, fitness classes, and neighborhood groups and more, inside and outside our facility.
In 2022, we launched Arts@ARCO, our free, family-friendly event series featuring visual and performance art shows. When you give, you support programs like Arts@ARCO and help us provide people in our community with access to educational opportunities and interactive arts experiences.
history
The former Price Hill Masonic Lodge, located at 3301 Price Avenue, was built in 1912, but has been vacant since the Price Hill Masons left in the mid-1980s. Price Hill Will has partnered with The Model Group to co-develop the project to bring the Samuel Hannaford-designed Lodge back to life. The $10 million restoration of the 21,000 square feet, local historic landmark will provide a space for new offices for Price Hill Will, practice/rehearsal space for PHW’s MYCincinnati 120-member youth orchestra, Creative Action Residency, the Price Hillharmonic adult orchestra, and leasable event space for neighborhood groups, community events, and private celebrations.
The Price Hill Masonic Lodge was designed by the prominent Cincinnati architecture firm Samuel Hannaford & Sons in the Neo-Classical architectural style. The building was completed in 1912 and was owned and operated by the Price Hill Freemasons for 77 years until Price Hill Lodge No. 524 merged with the North Bend Lodge No. 346. The Masons’ choice of engaging a high-profile architect and the building’s prominent and high profile location, demonstrated the Mason’s pride in the building and community. The Price Hill Masonic brethren supported community causes including flood relief efforts, participating in cornerstone ceremonies of local churches, marching in parades, honoring Lodge brethren who served in the armed forces and many other causes. After the Masons discontinued use of the Lodge, it was sold to private individuals and used for various purposes before falling in to severe disrepair and essentially being abandoned. Price Hill Will, a non-profit community development corporation, purchased the building in 2014 after completing a comprehensive feasibility and per-development study. The building has been converted into an events and banquet facility as well as offices to house the organization. The Masonic Lodge is located in the heart of the Incline District of East Price Hill which has seen significant investment over the last few years including new housing, restaurants and a new performance theater and parking garage which was a new market tax credit project in partnership with Price Hill Will.
DEDICATION
When looking at the history of ARCO, we saw the history of the Masonic Lodge, but also lands original residents. We have chosen to honor the indigenous peoples of the area by naming our two theatre spaces after the Shawnee and Myaamia Tribes of the area.
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SHAWNEE
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myaamia
WHO WE ARE
In addition to the theatre and community spaces, our basement holds the offices of Price Hill Will and MYCincinnati Orchestra.
Price Hill Will is a nonprofit community development corporation serving the neighborhoods of East, West, and Lower Price Hill in Cincinnati, Ohio since 2004. Their mission is to create systemic change in Price Hill through equitable physical, civic, social, and economic development that improves the quality of life for all families in our community. They help residents, particularly residents with lower income or formal education levels, immigrants, and people of color, build on their assets and gain skills as we connect them with resources to improve their quality of life. Their most notable programs are the Homesteading Program and the MYCincinnati Program.
MYCincinnati's mission is to use ensemble-based music as a vehicle for youth development and community engagement by providing children withaccess to free, intense, high-quality music education.