Input Sought for Cultural Center Elevator & Expansion
The Chewelah Creative District (CCD) is inviting the community to participate in walkthrough and input sessions at the Aaron Huff Memorial Cultural Center on Tuesday, June 2nd and Thursday, June 4th as part of a new planning project focused on accessibility, space improvements, and expanding the future community use of the building. For added convenience, there will be two presentations each night beginning at 5:30pm and 7:00pm.
The project explores concepts for elevator access, second-floor extension, improved accessibility, expanded classroom and meeting space, and more flexible use for community events, instructors, artists, freelancers, nonprofits, and small businesses.
The sessions will give community members an opportunity to tour the building, hear about the project goals, discuss challenges and opportunities within the space, and share ideas for future improvements and programming.
Grant Support
This planning project is funded through a $50,000 Capital Project Capacity Grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. The grant program is designed to help small, rural organizations pay for the kind of planning needed to launch a capital construction project or fundraising campaign. The planning includes feasibility studies, architectural concepts, engineering review, accessibility evaluation, cost estimating, and community engagement.
The CCD is currently working with local architect Tom Bristol and coordinating additional engineering and accessibility consultations as part of the process. The major focus of this project is to determine how the second floor could become more accessible and more useful for creative work, classes, workshops, meetings, coworking, exhibits, and other community activities.
Your input matters!
The community’s input will play a major role in shaping the future vision for the Cultural Center. The CCD is especially interested in hearing from people who are impacted by the current accessibility challenges at the Cultural Center, and people would like to teach classes, host workshops, organize clubs or gatherings, hold exhibits, work remotely, start small creative businesses, or use the building in ways that may not currently be possible.
Whether you already use the Huff Memorial Cultural Center or have simply wondered what the building could become in the future, the CCD would like to hear your ideas.
Please mark your calendar & join us on Tuesday, June 2nd or Thursday, June 4th (during the First Thursday Artwalk & Spotlight Gallery) at either 5:30pm or 7:00pm. After June 4th, community members who can’t attend the in-person sessions will be able to provide feedback through the CCD website at chewelahcreates.org.
There’s no need to wait to use the Cultural Center space while we’re planning for future improvements. You can visit chewelahcreates.org/cultural-center to learn about the current spaces available at the Huff Memorial Cultural Center for your classes, meetings, events, workshops, performances, and community activities.
RSVP on Facebook & invite your friends to help us spread the word.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally submitted to the Chewelah Independent on May 23, 2026 for publication prior to the community input sessions for the Aaron Huff Memorial Cultural Center Accessibility & Capacity Project. Because publication timing was uncertain, we are also making the article available directly through the Chewelah Creative District website to ensure community members have access to project information and participation opportunities.
