PORT ANGELES – The new Field Arts and Events Hall is getting closer by the day to opening its doors to stage performances and private events. We caught up with Executive Director Steve Raider-Ginsburg this week to get an update on fundraising, getting workers back to finish construction, and when he thinks he’ll be able to start welcoming guests.

Raider-Ginsburg says their recent fundraising campaign for naming rights to the 63 pillars inside the venue, at $25,000 each, has sold out.

“What I want to let listeners know, and one of the things that people have been reacting really well to, is that we are not asking for people to contribute all in one lump sum and come up with that say $25,000, or $2,500 for naming rights for a seat, all at once, in one year. We allow five-year payment plans, and that’s a significant help for us to commit to bringing our construction guys back.”

He says over 60% of the build is complete, as far as the shell and core, and they’ve raised about 88% of the funds needed to complete construction, leaving about $6.5 million yet to be raised.

“And over the next 6-8 months, we have a number of campaigns that are really in gear, and we anticipate to close that gap. So we’re looking at a projection of 14-16 months to welcoming people onto our campus for performances and events.”

Raider-Ginsburg says one feature of the theater that’s planned will allow for a virtual audience to accommodate those who can’t physically be in attendance for performances.

“We plan on putting in seven cameras that are point, zoom, tilt cameras, having incredible audio-capturing microphones, so we can hold concerts and events in the auditorium and be able to pipe that out virtually to have a unique Port Angeles experience, and have people subscribe to it and see it online.”

Besides performances, the other aspect of the venue will be hosting events for private companies, non-profits, and even weddings. Raider-Ginsburg says that he expects be ready in about 6 months to begin booking events for 2023.

To learn more visit fieldhallevents.org.