Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. December 18, 2025 – ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign marked a landmark year in 2025, propelled by the continued generosity of corporate partners, foundation supporters, community donors and regional leaders. With construction of the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL now well underway and ambitious renovation plans for the historic Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop, the campaign continues to advance its mission of expanding access to arts, culture and creative education across the Lehigh Valley.
Groundbreaking on the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL
In June, ArtsQuest officially broke ground on the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL, a transformational, five-story cultural and community hub that will replace the former Banana Factory. The Creative Factory will expand ArtsQuest’s capacity to offer visual arts, education and creative programming while providing flexible spaces for makers, performers and emerging artists. Construction is currently ahead of schedule, with ArtsQuest targeting completion in the last quarter of 2026 and a major public opening planned for January 2027. A soft opening featuring classes and camps may occur earlier, giving the community an opportunity to engage with the space before its official debut.
Beam Signing Ceremony Celebrates Construction Momentum
This October, ArtsQuest hosted a celebratory beam-signing ceremony at the construction site, bringing together corporate and individual donors, campaign leadership, community stakeholders and elected officials. The event symbolized the campaign’s shared vision and the collective investment in building a more innovative and accessible future for the arts and culture in Bethlehem.
Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop: Revitalizing Industrial Heritage for the Arts
A central component of the Re‑Imagine That! campaign is the renovation and repurposing of the Turn & Grind Shop, a historic 19th-century building on the former Bethlehem Steel campus. Once an essential facility of the Bethlehem Steel Tool Division, the building carries the legacy of Bethlehem’s industrial past.
With the generous support of Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, along with other foundations, community supporters and our elected officials at the county and state level, this 27,000-square-foot structure will be transformed into a dynamic multi-use arts and events venue.
Thanks in part to a $1 million grant awarded in April 2025 from the Pennsylvania Main Street Matters Grant Program, facilitated by the support of Northampton County, the Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop redevelopment is now a key tangible step toward expanding ArtsQuest’s capacity for festivals, exhibits, performances and community gatherings.
Once completed (expected in 2027), the renewed Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop will include:
- The Air Products Foyer.
- A large public programming space for traveling exhibits.
- Expanded festival and events footprint, offering additional flex-space to support major events such as Musikfest, Oktoberfest, Christkindlmarkt and more.
- Indoor/outdoor rental capacity for private or corporate events — weddings, galas, meetings and community gatherings — filling a long-standing need for versatile event space in the region.
- A permanent kitchen, green‑room / backstage support for performers and updated amenities to support hospitality and production needs, eliminating the reliance on temporary facilities for large events.
A Community Built on Generosity & Partnership
The success of the Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign is made possible by a wide coalition of supporters who believe in the transformative power of the arts. ArtsQuest extends its deepest appreciation to the campaign’s founding supporters, philanthropic partners, corporate sponsors, regional leaders, elected officials and individual donors.
Looking Forward: What This Means for the Lehigh Valley
- Once completed, the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL and the Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop will significantly expand ArtsQuest’s capacity to host world‑class arts programming, educational initiatives, festivals and community events — all under one integrated arts campus.
- The Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop will provide much-needed versatile indoor/outdoor event space, elevating the region’s ability to host large-scale festivals, exhibits and community gatherings in a unique industrial setting.
- The redevelopment will support local employment, stimulate tourism and contribute to Bethlehem’s ongoing revitalization as a cultural destination, strengthening the city’s identity and economic vitality.
ArtsQuest thanks the hundreds of donors, families, organizations and companies whose support continues to bring these projects to life. Their commitment ensures that future generations will have more opportunities to experience, learn from and create through the arts.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences, using arts and culture as drivers of economic development in our urban communities. ArtsQuest supports this mission through performing and visual arts, film, arts education and outreach, youth programming and a wide range of cultural events, anchored by signature venues and initiatives including its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL, a centerpiece for the Valley’s artistic communities; the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks; and the LVHN, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop, an adaptive reuse project expanding space for programming, festivals, private events and nationally touring exhibits. ArtsQuest welcomes more than 1.9 million people annually, with nearly 40 percent of its programs free to attend, generating a regional economic impact of more than $143 million annually. ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign supports the continued growth of its mission to make the arts accessible for all.