Raue Center for the Arts:
Records & Information

Ownership and Structure

Building Ownership:

Building Ownership: A Strong Foundation for the Next 25 Years

Raue Center for the Arts proudly calls the historic theater at 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake home—a place where generations have come to experience the magic of live performance.

From the very beginning, Raue Center—as a nonprofit organization—stepped forward to raise the initial funding and restore this beloved landmark when it had fallen into disrepair. What emerged was nothing short of a community triumph: a beautifully revitalized theater that has since become the cultural heart of our region.

In 2024, we navigated an important evolution in the building’s governance and ownership structure. While Raue Center has always managed daily operations and programming, updated compliance requirements from regional and national funding agencies called for greater clarity around formal oversight.

Thanks to a historic resolution and a partnership with the City of Crystal Lake, we now have a clear and stable path forward. Together, we have established a structure rooted in transparency, accountability, and shared commitment to this treasured community asset.

Today, Raue Center operates under a 25-year lease agreement with the City—a foundation of long-term stability that ensures this historic theater will continue to inspire audiences for decades to come.

We remain deeply grateful to the community that helped save this building, and we are more committed than ever to responsible governance, financial strength, and ensuring that the arts remain vibrant and accessible in Crystal Lake for generations yet to come.