The Grand director outlines $16 million expansion, outreach push to broaden arts access in Oshkosh

Joe Furlow, director of The Grand, told the Oshkosh Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee on June 22 that the nonprofit-run theater is pursuing a $16 million reimagining to expand outreach, accessibility and year-round programming.

"Our Grand Moment is a reimagining," Furlow said, describing a campus plan that includes an L-shaped addition, improved accessible entrances, an elevator to make backstage and stage areas wheelchair-accessible, and a portable outdoor stage for Opera House Square. He said roughly $11.5 million has been raised so far and the project is expected to go to bid this fall with shovel-in-ground work planned for later this year.

Why it matters: Furlow said the upgrades are meant to remove barriers that prevent people from attending performances and to bring high-quality arts programming into neighborhoods, schools and community centers — strategies the director frames as essential to The Grand's DEI goals. He said the organization currently produces about 110 events a year and expects that to increase to about 240 events across indoor and outdoor venues after the expansion.

Furlow highlighted outreach programs that take artists to where people gather — farmers markets, the Boys & Girls Club and schools — and described examples of artists who connect directly with children and families, including a sensory-friendly magician and visiting storytellers. "If we can do five to 10 of these things a year where people can experience performing who look like them, or better yet people who don't, the value is there on both levels," he said.

The director explained how The Grand will operate during construction: staff plan to use a nearby theater at the W Oshkosh as a temporary home for programming while the downtown site is renovated. He also described a small-cabaret venue (the Verve Lounge, named through a corporate naming gift) and an outdoor, movable stage that can draw audiences into downtown and—if necessary—move indoors if weather demands.

Furlow emphasized financial realities: ticket sales rarely cover full operating costs, he said, so donor support and partnerships are essential to fund free outreach and to pay artists who perform outside the theater proper. He cited past resilience during crises — roof repairs and the pandemic — as evidence the staff can maintain programming while construction proceeds.

Committee members responded with programming ideas and offered to help convene focus groups, including multicultural focus groups and student committees on campus. The director said he plans to bring staff to conferences to identify new artists and to involve the committee in planning a larger community engagement process.

Next steps: Furlow said the project is nearing its fundraising goal and will move to bidding and construction planning; committee members agreed to continue coordinating on outreach ideas and potential partnerships with schools and community organizations.

Quotes used with permission from the meeting transcript are attributed to Joe Furlow and committee members.