Toyota Gifts Arts Council $100,000 For Elevator

Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Indiana provides $100,000 gift for Rooftop Art Deck accessibility at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana

Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Indiana awarded a $100,000 grant to the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana to purchase an elevator to provide access to the Arts Council’s Rooftop Art Deck.

The Art Deck, which hosts concerts, open mic events, plein air painting, receptions and other arts and social programming, is currently accessible only by stairs.

“Most people think of Toyota’s slogan, ‘Let’s Go Places,’ to mean ‘let’s hop in a car and travel,’ but this gift shows their deep commitment to making all places accessible for all people,” Arts Council Executive Director Anne McKim said. “It’s essential the arts are inclusive, it’s essential we at the Arts Council welcome everyone. Arts and culture are stronger and more vibrant when truly diverse.”

Total costs of the purchase and installation of the elevator are estimated at $175,000. The project will begin in early 2020, with a completion eyed prior to the June kick off of the 2020 “On the Roof” music series.

The Rooftop Art Deck is located at 212 Main St. in Downtown Evansville and is an extension of the Arts Council’s Bower-Suhrheinrich Foundation Gallery.