Arts Awarded $850,000 to Renovate Future Home in Downtown Hopewell

The City of Hopewell was selected to receive $850,000 in funding from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF). The entirety of this sum will be used to renovate the Lamb Center for Arts and Healing’s building located in Downtown Hopewell. The grant will allow for the completion of a previously commenced renovation of the historic building at 230 East Broadway and allow Lamb Arts to fulfill its mission to help the community thrive through accessible, high-quality arts programming and mind, body, spirit healing opportunities. The planned state-of-the-art center will be open to the public and provide space for community art classes, open studios, exhibitions, special events and venue rentals.

The IRF grants are intended to support localities in the renovation and restoration of vacant and deteriorated industrial and commercial properties in an effort to foster community and economic transformation. The redevelopment of 230 East Broadway will not only bring a vacant, blighted building in Downtown Hopewell back to life but will also allow the community to engage with art and creativity in a way previously unavailable to them.

Since its inception in 2016, Lamb Arts knew that it needed a permanent, welcoming space in Hopewell to work towards its mission. 230 East Broadway, the heart of downtown Hopewell, was a perfect match for Lamb Arts, a bold organization with vision looking to make meaningful and visible changes in our community. Lamb Arts purchased the structure in 2018 and since then has invested in the interior demolition, lead paint abatement and a facade renovation with the generous support of individual donors and foundations.

Lamb Arts Co-founder and Executive Director, Dr. Eliza Lamb states the importance of this project to both their work at the nonprofit and to the community -

“The award of this grant shows an investment and belief not only in the work of Lamb Arts but also the community of Hopewell! From the beginning we understood the importance of creating a safe, inviting space for our community. And the community told us as much when we

conducted an extensive needs assessment in 2017. The survey determined that establishment of a downtown space was not only preferred for programming ease and professionalism, but also critical in building necessary community trust and assisting in the revitalization of Downtown Hopewell. The funds from this grant will allow all of this to come to fruition. We are very grateful and excited to move forward and expand our work in a beautiful and inspiring new space.”

While the renovation is underway, Lamb Arts staff will continue their extensive programming throughout the area. They currently reach 7,000 community members annually through programs such as their Creative Change Makers teen leadership program, Creative Aging program with local nursing homes, partnership with Hopewell City Public Schools, pop-up workshops, and annual Lamb Arts Fest. These programs and events currently take place off-site or in their small temporary office. The new space at 230 East Broadway will provide two large classroom spaces where these programs can be expanded and new ones added.

The project is anticipated to be completed within 18 months.