Opened in March 1987, after the renovation of the Pythian Theater, The King Arts Complex is located on the near East side of Columbus, Ohio, in one of the oldest areas of African-American life in the city. With an additional renovation, Phase II opened in October 1989 creating a 60,000 square foot facility. Serving as a major anchor for development in the King-Lincoln District, The King Arts Complex is an oasis for cultural and educational activities as well as community facility for special events. The mission of The King Arts Complex is to enrich and improve the quality of life in our community and society, creating enhanced understanding and harmony by preserving, presenting and fostering the contributions of African Americans through creative expression and education while building bridges of harmony and connecting links between all people. Through a multidisciplinary approach, The King Arts Complex offers performing, cultural and educational programs that provide high artistic merit, varied and diverse experiences, and which increase and disseminate knowledge regarding the vast and significant contributions of African-Americans to the culture and history of America and the world.