Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute facts for kids
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, viewed by the southwest, in 2007
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 Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute
Location in Seattle
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| Address | 104 17th Avenue South Central District Seattle, Washington 98144 United States |
| Coordinates | 47°36′05″N 122°18′36″W / 47.60139°N 122.31000°W |
| Owner | LANGSTON Seattle |
| Type | Theater; Arts center |
| Genre(s) | African American art, artists, and audiences |
| Chevra Bikur Cholim | |
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The former synagogue
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism (former) |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue (1915 – 1969) |
| Status | Closed and deconsecrated |
| Location | |
| Location | 104 17th Avenue South, Central District Seattle, Washington |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | B. Marcus Priteca |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Byzantine Revival |
| Completed | 1915 |
The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute is a special place in Seattle, Washington. It's a cultural, community, and art center. This institute focuses on African American art, artists, and audiences. You can find it at 104 17th Avenue South, in the Central District of Seattle.
The building was first built as a synagogue in 1915. It was designed by a famous architect named Marcus Priteca. In 1969, the Jewish community sold the building to the City of Seattle. After some updates, it became an arts center. The center is named after Langston Hughes, a very important author. He was a leader during the Harlem Renaissance, a time of great artistic growth for African Americans. This building is also recognized as a Seattle landmark.
Over the years, the building has had a few different names. These include the Yesler-Atlantic Community Center, the Langston Hughes Cultural Center, and the Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center.
History of the Building
This building was completed in 1915. It was designed in the Byzantine Revival style. This style often features domes and arches, like old Byzantine buildings. The architect, B. Marcus Priteca, designed it for the Chevra Bikur Cholim, an Orthodox Jewish community. Priteca finished his plans in 1913, and the synagogue opened in August 1915. He also designed many other theaters across the United States.
In 1969, the Jewish community sold the building to the City of Seattle. It became part of the Parks and Recreation department in 1972. The inside of the main hall was updated in 1971. A balcony was removed to make the seating area larger. More additions were made in 1991 and 2003. These additions created office spaces and made the building easier for everyone to access.
History of the Organization
The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center started in 1969. The city bought the building in 1971. The goal was to create Seattle's first African-American theater, called Black Arts/West. They also planned a film training center for minority groups. However, the renovations took a long time, so those groups found other places.
Even so, the institute became a very important spot for Seattle's hip hop scene. It also played a similar role for local African American actors and performers. For many years, the center was known for two things. It was a community center for neighborhood kids and families. It also aimed to be a serious arts organization for actors, dancers, and poets.
Because the city funded it, the center didn't have to worry about paying rent or staff. However, this also meant its focus could sometimes be on "arts and crafts" instead of "high-quality arts." In 2001, the Parks and Recreation department asked the institute to focus more on high-quality arts.
