Lake County Arts Center
Shaping Today, Inspiring Tomorrow.
Midwest Young Artists Conservatory (MYAC)** proudly unveils our vision for a state-of-the-art facility featuring a world-class concert hall. This new hub will serve as a premier rehearsal and performance space for MYAC and become a cultural beacon for Lake County communities, businesses, and arts organizations, especially those focused on youth.
Our Mission: We aim to create a vibrant space where young people can cultivate purpose, self-confidence, diligence, and mutual respect through music and performing arts, bringing beauty and joy to our communities.
Original building, designed by Holibird & Roche, completed in 1893, served as The Stockade at the Fort Sheridan Army Base
The Legacy…
1893: The historic building, designed by Holibird & Roche, was originally The Stockade at Fort Sheridan Army Base.
1994: MYAC received a building at Fort Sheridan from the U.S. Department of Education, leading to our current home.
2000: MYAC moved into the renovated Old Stockade Building, now a thriving center for music education and rehearsals.
MYAC's 2016 Summer Evening Orchestra Concert
The Present…
Since relocating in 2000, MYAC has doubled its student body, expanded choral, jazz, orchestra, and chamber music programs, and hosts over 75 events annually. However, our current space is bursting at the seams, with students and staff operating in cramped conditions. We also incur significant costs renting external concert venues across Lake County.
The Vision…
In 2013, MYAC acquired four acres adjacent to the Old Stockade Building, setting the stage for our dream: the Lake County Arts Center. This new center, thoughtfully designed by Booth Hansen, will be partially underground to blend with our surroundings and accommodate our growing needs.
Gains for Lake County Businesses from this project:
Attract and retain a skilled work force. The Conference Board found that creativity is among the top 5 skills needed. The top criteria of creativity is: starting your own business and/or studying arts in college. Nobel Laureates are 17 times more likely to be involved in the arts.
Make it easier to attract young workers to Lake County. They say “Where do I want to live?” and then go there and put jobs/work together. New economy workers want great restaurants, arts and culture.
Young families want convenient, excellent opportunities for their children to study music and attend concerts.
90% agree arts institutions are important to quality of life; 85% agree arts institutions are important to local businesses and the economy.
“Having spent the last 50 years immersed in the arts on the North Shore, I can say unequivocally that what is sorely needed is an arts center which will provide, among other things, a concert hall, not only for the talented young musicians of MYAC, but also for the many orchestras, dance groups, and other arts organizations located in Lake County. I support this ambitious venture wholeheartedly.”
— Larry Block, Founder & General Manager, Highland Park Strings
Join us in supporting MYAC and building
a bright future for the next generation.