GRSF’s New Location: The ARC

After being closed for several years, Winona’s former Masonic Temple is now reopened as The ARC, a vibrant new hub for arts and culture. “ARC” stands for arts, recreation, and culture. Since reopening in August 2025 the ARC has hosted film screenings, concerts, an improv workshop, dances, and storytellers. 

The ARC is managed for the city of Winona by the staff of the Great River Shakespeare Festival and now serves as the home for GRSF rehearsals, shops, and performances. GRSF has partnered with several other nonprofits—the Frozen River Film Festival, the Sandbar Storytelling Festival, Theatre du Mississippi, and River City Dancers—and renters to share office, storage, and event spaces. 

These organizations and others are able to use the historic Masonic scenic backdrops, costume shop, rehearsal rooms, historic Masonic theatre, and newly developed first-floor performance space. The new Ghostlight Lounge on the second floor includes a cash bar featuring wine, beer, cocktails, soft drinks, and snacks, which are allowed in the theater during events and performances.

The Masonic temple building was first completed in 1909. It was an important venue in Winona at that time for both Masonic activities and general public events. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. The Masons relocated to another building in town in 2017.

This building has long been a venue for Winona events, and over the years, the city has invested millions of dollars in the facility. During the building’s closure from 2020 to 2025, the heating system was modernized and air conditioning was added at a cost of $3 million. 

The city recently worked with consultants to study the space available and create a plan for additional improvements. GRSF hopes to fundraise first for main-floor lobby improvements and a second elevator. The city is responsible for building maintenance while GRSF is responsible for renovations, customizations, or cosmetic upgrades. 

The facility use plan also highlighted some other desirable improvements, such as ADA restrooms, improved water fountains, additional lighting in the historic theater for a thrust stage, and modest lighting, sound, and video systems for the first floor performance space. The study suggests sustainability improvements like restoring windows and installing solar panels and a green roof. The kitchen on the first floor could benefit from numerous improvements.

The study also notes there is no designated parking lot for the ARC. But there is ample parking nearby, including two municipal lots across Broadway Street. There is another municipal lot at Fifth and Center streets. 

Visit The ARC website to see renderings of potential future improvements or to make a donation to the fund for making improvements.