'Rialto Reimagined' Closer to Reality Thanks to NJEDA Award

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority approved a $43.3 million tax credit award for the Rialto Center for Creativity this week to help transform the historic downtown movie theater into a multidisciplinary, community-focused arts center. The theater closed in 2019.

The award through the NJEDA's Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion Program will fund more than 80% of the project, according to Bill Crandall, president of the Rialto Board of Trustees. "This will fund more than 80% of our project, which will transform the iconic building into a multifunctional center for creativity: film, live music, theater, art, education and community events," Crandall said.

The center is launching a $10 million campaign to unlock the NJEDA award, complete construction and fund early operations, targeting a 2029 grand opening. In 2021, a group of local residents formed a non-profit and purchased the 100-year-old Rialto for redevelopment. In 2022, an anonymous $5 million donation helped kickstart planning for the theater's conversion into an arts center.

Planned features include a 250-seat theater with room for 450 standing for live performances, films, lectures and special events; multi-use classrooms and studios for classes, workshops, rehearsals and rentals; galleries featuring emerging and renowned local and regional artists; and inclusive programs for all ages, backgrounds and abilities. The center's "Rialto Reimagined" fundraising campaign includes a Spotlight Series, a limited-run monthly series of live conversations at the Rialto with creative people from Westfield.

This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy against official sources.

Produced with AI assistance and reviewed against source records.