MYAC Center for the Performing Arts
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.
Jan. of 2013: City of Highwood included MYAC in their Comprehensive Plan (pp. 38 & 39)
Fall of 2013: MYAC purchased Westover parcel of land in Highwood for future expansion
MYAC's 2016 Summer Evening Orchestra Concert
The Present…
Since relocating in 2000, MYAC has doubled its student body and expanded its choral, jazz, orchestra, and chamber music programs. Today, we host over 75 events annually. However, our current space is bursting at the seams, with students and staff on rehearsal days. Finding and securing appropriately sized external venues is a growing challenge, as we require spaces that can accommodate an orchestra of 100+ musicians, provide backstage room for students and instruments, and hold larger audiences. Venues like Pick-Staiger Concert Hall at Northwestern University in Evanston, which meet these needs, are both limited in availability and costly. We have to rent trucks to move percussion instruments and equipment to these venues. We also rent venues each year for our annual fundraising gala, further adding to our operational expenses and work.
The Vision…
In 2013, MYAC acquired four acres adjacent to the Old Stockade Building, setting the stage for our dream: an MYAC Center for the Performing Arts. 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. Creativity ranks among the top five skills needed in today’s job market, according to the Conference Board. Indicators of creativity include entrepreneurship and pursuing arts-related studies. Nobel Laureates, for example, are 17 times more likely to have an arts background.
Appeal to young professionals. Many young workers choose where to live based on quality of life factors like great dining, arts and culture. A vibrant local arts scene can make Lake County more attractive to this talent pool.
Draw young families. Families seek high quality opportunities for their children, such as music education and concerts. Accessible arts programs make the area more appealing to families to settle in Lake County.
Economic boost. A dedicated MYAC Performing Arts Center in Highwood would generate local economic growth by keeping performances in town, driving more spending at local restaurants, shops and businesses. The Center would also create jobs and bring new vitality to the community.
Enhance quality of life and economic impact. 90% believe arts institutions are key to quality of life and 85% agree they benefit 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.