PHOTOS : Third Act Images and Oxley Photography the arts , culture , and living . This history , serendipitous or by design , to serve as a gathering space for people to share experiences is BlackRock ’ s work . BlackRock began when community members demanded an arts space to galvanize the growing city of Germantown . Twenty-two seasons later , with the same tenacity , BlackRock withstands the blows and reality of post-pandemic sustainability and funding challenges because of the community . In Germantown — in all of Montgomery County for that matter — we understand the arts as essential to places , people , education , and life .
Back in the early 1990s , a group of passionate residents set out on a mission to create something truly special for their community — an arts center that would showcase and embrace the arts close to home . This inspiring idea quickly gained support and became a rallying point for local leaders . Within a few years , the vision materialized into the Germantown Cultural Arts Center , today — BlackRock Center for the Arts . A groundbreaking was held in January 2001 , construction was completed in the summer of 2002 , and the building was opened to the public in September 2002 . Last season we celebrated BlackRock ’ s 20th Anniversary , our first gala post-pandemic , once again , Black- Rock and Germantown at a turning point in its history .
When it came to the initial design , art would be an integral part of the building ’ s architecture . In those early community gatherings , it was realized that Germantown was standing at a crossroads — what was once predominantly farmland , was now experiencing rapid growth . BlackRock stood as a symbol for remarkable expansion of a thriving community .
If you have never been to BlackRock , you are missing out . As you step inside the Grand Lobby , the floor and monoliths embrace Germantown ’ s past . The terrazzo floor reveals the town ’ s history . There are patchworks of farm landscapes in green and yellow , and symbols of corn stalks as you enter , followed by the railroad and BlackRock Mill that put Germantown on the map . The two-story
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