INDIANAPOLIS — Butler University announced major renovation and expansion plans for its performance hall.
The university received a $9 million grant on Wednesday, from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation to support a multi-phased renovation and expansion of Clowes Memorial Hall.
The grant will go toward the construction of a new, multi-purpose venue that will be located adjacent to Clowes Hall. The new venue will hold between 1,200-1,450 people and be used as a music hall and a reception/private event space.
“The renovations to Clowes Memorial Hall are going to greatly improve the patron experience, and also allow us to bring more Broadway, music, and comedy performances to the theater,” said Butler University President James Danko. “The impact that the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation has had on arts and humanities initiatives in Indianapolis over the years cannot be overstated, and Butler University is tremendously grateful for this gift that will significantly improve the venue that honors Mr. Clowes’ legacy and bears his name.”
When will the renovations start? What will they be?
The renovations will start in June 2025. There will be four phases throughout the renovations.
The first phase will focus on upgrading the seating across the theater’s three balcony terraces, including the addition of open-air suites for a more "luxurious" experience. Restrooms will also be renovated and expanded, with the addition of 13 gender-neutral facilities.
In the second phase, two loading docks will be installed to help with large-scale events.
The third phase will focus on stage upgrades, including the addition of rigging points and reinforced flooring.
Lastly, the fourth phase will introduce the Allen Whitehill Clowes Ballroom to the east lobby. This will be a new event space that will open in spring 2027.
Future plans for Clowes Hall include a multi-purpose convention center, that would be located between Clowes Hall and the Sunset Avenue parking garage. This would go hand-in-hand with the Curio Hotel that is expected to open on campus in 2027.
In addition, plans also call for the creation of an outdoor plaza south of Clowes Hall that will be used for people to wait before they enter the venue.
Clowes Hall is expected to be closed from June-October 2025 to accommodate the first three phases of renovations.
The newly transformed Clowes Hall will serve as the "centerpiece" for the $100 million Midtown Arts District on campus, officials said.
The Midtown Arts District is a piece of the university's Gateway Project, which is Danko's vision to "create a vibrant, interconnected community between Butler University and Midtown Indianapolis."
