
Support the Arts Park at Wayne Center for the Arts – Help us Reach our Goal!

Big things are happening behind Wayne Center for the Arts! In 2021, the City of Wooster gave us the land right behind our building—and now we’re turning it into something amazing: a brand-new Arts Park that everyone can enjoy.

The Arts Park will be full of fun and creative spaces. There will be outdoor musical instruments in the Harmony Garden, a colorful basketball court with a giant mural, an exciting playground with accessible equipment, a Fab Lab for creating with wood, metal, and glass, and even an amphitheater for performances and shows. It’s going to be a place where people of all ages can play, create, and enjoy art—right in their own neighborhood.





Fab Lab and Amphitheater
At the heart of the revitalized space will be a Fab Lab Art Space and outdoor amphitheater seating area. This new building will be equipped with state-of-the-art safety features such as proper ventilation and fire suppression systems, allowing the community to explore mediums like metalworking, welding, woodworking, stained glass, and fused glass. These are art forms not currently accessible to the general public in the region. The facility will serve as a regional hub for industrial and fabrication arts—offering learning opportunities, drawing visitors to the area, and supporting workforce development by connecting people with skills that are valued in Wayne County’s diverse industries.
The Fab Lab will have overhead doors that open onto the outdoor amphitheater. The outdoor amphitheater will serve as a flexible gathering space for both educational and performance-based programming. It will be used for live demonstrations—such as pottery throwing, glasswork, or woodworking—allowing artists and instructors to share their craft with the public in an engaging, open-air setting. In addition, the amphitheater will host smaller-scale performances, including “Shakespeare in the Park”-style productions, children’s concerts, storytelling events, and community showcases, offering accessible cultural experiences for families and visitors throughout the year.






Harmony Garden
The Harmony Garden will be a centerpiece of the park, blending the natural beauty of native wildflower landscaping with the joy of interactive outdoor musical instruments. Featuring fully accessible winding paths, thoughtfully designed seating, and Rhapsody Outdoor Musical Instruments—including chimes, bells, metallophones, and drums—the Harmony Garden invites creativity, relaxation, and inclusive play. These instruments are designed to inspire musical discovery for people of all abilities and ages.






Basketball Court and Playground
The revitalized park will also include a fully accessible playground with features designed for children of all abilities. This safe, welcoming space will encourage physical activity, social interaction, and inclusive outdoor play. Nearby, the existing basketball court will be resurfaced, with one half transformed into a vibrant community mural, combining recreation and public art in a space that promotes neighborhood pride.
Crucially, this park serves the only walkable greenspace in the immediate neighborhood—making it an essential community asset for outdoor play, rest, and connection.
We’ve already raised over $1.5 million of our $2.5 million goal, thanks to grants and support from funders outside of our community who believe in what we’re building. Now we’re turning to you—our neighbors and friends—to help us finish the job and bring this dream to life!
Campaign Progress – Help us Fill the Thermometer!
Every donation helps. Donors over $500 will have their names added to a special sculpture in the park. If you are interested in naming opportunities or making a larger gift, please email Tiffany@WayneArtsCenter.org to schedule a meeting.
Thank you to our early supporters and grantors:
- Jon and Tina Ansel
- Chuck and Pam Armbruster
- Audrey Beaverson Field of Interest Fund of the Wayne County Community Foundation
- Robert & Esther Black Family Foundation Fund of the Richland County Foundation
- Stanley C. Gault Philanthropic Leadership Fund of the Wayne County Community Foundation
- Greg and Darby Buehler Charitable Fund
- Gesler Family Charitable Fund
- The Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Foundation
- Wooster Kiwanis
- Kiwanis International
- Julie Mennes
- Burton D. Morgan Foundation
- Donald and Alice Noble Foundation
- The Romich Foundation
- Elizabeth Schuster
- Ken Shafer
- The Toro Company
- Walmart Spark Good Program
- Wayne County Community Foundation
- City of Wooster
- Youth-Resiliency Capital Funds from the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health
- Harry and Kathryn Zink Charitable Fund
