The Kresge Foundation has announced a $1 million challenge grant to Johns Hopkins to support construction of new arts and recreation centers on the Homewood campus.

In order to meet the Kresge Challenge and receive the funds, Johns Hopkins must raise--by April 1, 2001--$6.1 million toward construction of the two buildings. That amount, plus the $1 million from Kresge, represents the balance still needed for the $31 million total cost of the projects.

"The diversity of interests and abilities among our students is exceptional. The arts center and the recreation center will offer superb facilities for them to explore their creativity and to pursue physical activities," President William R. Brody said. "Faculty and staff too will benefit from these buildings, and the community will be enriched by public performances and exhibits."

"These two centers add crucial dimensions to campus life that will help us compete even more favorably for top students," Brody said. "We are grateful for the generosity of The Kresge Foundation and for its help in motivating other donors to support these important facilities."

The arts center is under construction and scheduled to be completed late this year and to open in the spring semester of 2001. A complex of three buildings surrounding an open courtyard, it will house a black box theater, two art studios, a dance studio, a cyber cafe, 10 individual practice rooms, two ensemble rehearsal rooms, a digital media center for multimedia projects, meeting rooms, and offices for student activities.

The recreation center will contain a field house with courts for basketball, volleyball, racquetball and squash; an indoor track; a climbing wall; a fitness center; and flexible multipurpose spaces. Construction begins this spring, with opening expected by September 2001.

Gifts totaling almost $19 million for the two centers have come from six individual alumni, and gifts of $1 million each have been received from Pepsico Foundation and First National Bank of Maryland, now Allfirst Bank.

Through challenge grants, The Kresge Foundation focuses on assisting institutions to expand their base of donor support. Over the past 26 years, the foundation has helped Johns Hopkins raise funds for buildings serving cancer research and treatment, biology, engineering, public health, and physics and astronomy.

The Kresge Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Troy, Mich., created by the personal gifts of Sebastian S. Kresge. Grants are made to institutions dedicated to higher education, health and long-term care, arts and humanities, human services, science and the environment, and public affairs. Funded projects involve construction, renovation or acquisition of facilities.