Edwardsville Approves Lease Agreement For New Arts Center Location

Edwardsville City Council Meeting (4-21-26)

EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Arts Center is set to move into a historic building in downtown Edwardsville with the city’s approval of a 30-year lease.

A lease agreement between the city and the Edwardsville Arts Center was unanimously approved by the City Council on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 for the property at 246 N. Main St. Edwardsville Arts Center Executive Director Beth Browne thanked City Council members for their support shortly after the vote.

“Being located on historic Main Street alongside the Wildey Theatre and so many vibrant business and public spaces places us right at the heart of a growing and dynamic downtown,” Browne said. “We share the city’s vision of a community where the arts thrive, and we are excited for programming possibilities this dedicated space will create for Edwardsville and our surrounding region.”

The Edwardsville Arts Center aims to transform the building’s interior space into a visual arts center, according to the lease agreement. The Arts Center is required to achieve “substantial completion” of the work necessary to make the premises a fully operational visual arts center at its own expense by March 31, 2028.

“We’re excited to have arts on Main Street,” Alderwoman Elizabeth Grant said. She also confirmed the cow statue, known as “Herbie the Hereford,” will remain in place just over the building entrance.

Mayor Art Risavy thanked each of the city and Arts Center staff members involved for their work on the lease agreement. He added that the building will feature a rooftop area accessible from the Wildey Theatre which could also be used by the Arts Center and the general Edwardsville community.

“This is absolutely a huge deal for us,” Risavy said. “The aldermen are highly committed to making sure that Main Street stays vibrant with improvements, with infrastructure, and also bringing more people downtown to experience the Arts Center and then also support our local restaurants and shops.”

The mayor also announced a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Edwardsville Arts Center location would be held sometime soon, with more details to be announced in the near future.

Under the lease agreement, the city is responsible for the repair and replacement costs associated with the roof and general building structure, while the Arts Center is responsible for the maintenance of the interior and any improvements they install.

The Edwardsville Arts Center will pay $1 per year to rent the space under the terms of the agreement, which carries an initial term of 30 years and can be renewed for up to two consecutive terms of 10 years each.

A full recording of the April 21, 2026 Edwardsville City Council meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.

More like this:

Wood River Approves Agreement For City Center Park Outdoor Event Space

Mar 16, 2026

Wood River Main Street Shares Upcoming Projects and Events

Mar 17, 2026

The Wedge Innovation Center Celebrates First Anniversary with Month-Long Community Giveback and Rooftop Event

Apr 1, 2026

Edwardsville Mayor Reflects on City's Growth and Projects

Mar 13, 2026

Edwardsville Approves Agreement For Future Arts Center Space

Dec 3, 2025