Anacostia Arts Center Announces $11M Renovation to Boost Cultural Hub

The Anacostia Arts Center (AAC), a cornerstone of Washington, D.C.'s Anacostia neighborhood, has unveiled final design plans for an $11 million renovation aimed at transforming the facility into a premier hub for arts, culture, and inclusive entrepreneurship. The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif), which acquired the center in December 2021, is spearheading this redevelopment to bolster the creative economy and support local entrepreneurs.

Established in 2013, the AAC is a multi-use arts space located at 1231 Good Hope Road SE in the Anacostia Historic District. The center houses a Black Box Theatre, a café, a lounge area, and the HIVE co-working space dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs. Wacif's acquisition of the AAC aligns with its mission to drive equity and opportunity while honoring and uplifting support for the creative economy.

The renovation plans include several key enhancements:

• Retail Space Enhancement: The retail area will be relocated to a prominent street-facing position, featuring dedicated space for pop-up vendors to showcase their products.

• Black Box Theatre Upgrade: The Black Box Theatre will undergo technical enhancements to improve performance capabilities.

• Co-Working Facility Modernization: The HIVE co-working space will be modernized to better serve small businesses and entrepreneurs.

• Gallery and Event Space Expansion: The art gallery and event spaces will be expanded to support community activations and enhance the overall user experience.

Construction is scheduled to commence in November 2025 and is expected to take up to a year to complete. During this period, the center will temporarily close but plans to continue offering virtual programming and hosting events at alternate venues throughout Anacostia.

Wacif's broader mission includes investing $100 million in underserved communities by 2030, aiming to support 5,000 entrepreneurs and create or retain 100,000 local jobs. The redevelopment of the AAC is a significant step toward achieving these goals.

The Anacostia neighborhood has a rich history of community-driven initiatives aimed at revitalization and cultural preservation. The upcoming renovation of the Anacostia Arts Center continues this legacy by investing in the community's cultural and economic infrastructure.

The renovation of the Anacostia Arts Center represents a significant investment in the community's cultural and economic infrastructure. Anticipation is high for the center's reopening and its enhanced role in fostering arts, culture, and inclusive entrepreneurship in Anacostia.