Project Description
In 1997, WC Smith CEO Chris Smith co-founded Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR), a nonprofit that would manage a state-of-the-art community center in Washington’s Ward 8. This center became Town Hall Education Arts & Recreation Campus (THEARC). Opened in 2005, THEARC serves more than 85,000 people annually with an array of programs and services, including dance classes, music, fine arts, academics, continuing education, mentoring, tutoring, recreation, medical and dental care, and other services at a substantially reduced cost or no cost at all.
Situated on 16 acres along Oxon Run and Mississippi Ave. SE, the 203,000 square foot campus houses 14 nonprofit organizations, including DC Central Kitchen, Children’s National Medical Center, The Phillips Collection, the Washington Ballet and two schools. The facilities feature a 365-seat community theater, black box theater, urban farm, regulation-size gymnasium, libraries, computer labs, classrooms, studios for dance, music and visual arts studios, an art gallery, public playgrounds, and more.
