The YES! House, a community arts and gathering space in Granite Falls, will be showcasing recent renovations during an open house event Sunday afternoon. YES! House recently received a T-Mobile Hometown Grant to help build classroom and recording studio space in the building.

GRANITE FALLS — A community arts and gathering space in Granite Falls is getting closer to completion, thanks to a $50,000 grant from T-Mobile.

The Department of Public Transformation, a rural arts and culture nonprofit, announced that it is receiving a T-Mobile Hometown Grant. The grant funds will be used to renovate the YES! House in Granite Falls.

“We’re so excited about this,” said Ash Hanson, creative executive officer with DoPT. Both the grant and the ongoing efforts of the Granite Falls community played a big part in making the renovations possible, she said.

The YES! House, located on Prentice Street in Granite Falls, features community gathering, arts and performance space. The grant funds will make it possible to renovate the lower level of the building, and create a recording studio, classroom space, and a multi-media lab, DoPT said.

DoPT sees the arts as an important way to help build community, Hanson said.

“We see our role as one that supports neighbors connecting,” she said.

The YES! House is a “third space,” where people can meet and imagine together, Hanson said.

An open house to showcase construction progress at the YES! House will be held Sunday, from 2:30-4 p.m. A short program will be held at 3 p.m., DoPT said.

The building where the YES! House is located was donated to DoPT in 2018, Hanson said. The organization worked to get the building stabilized, and also held artist-led community engagement to invite people to share their ideas for the space.

A public capital campaign to renovate the YES! House was launched in 2021, with a fundraising goal of about $1 million, Hanson said.

“We have continued to work toward our goal since then,” she said. The $50,000 grant from T-Mobile, in addition to contributions from individuals, businesses and foundations, will bring the capital campaign to renovate the YES! House to over 99% completion,” Hanson said.

Renovations of two artist apartments and a shared studio space have already been completed. Over the past year, the DoPT has been working with local contractors to finish the building’s main floor, which includes a performance venue, gallery space and concession area.

“We’re very happy with how far we’ve come,” Hanson said.

DoPT said it has been able to host community events even during renovations, including the Learn From Your Neighbor series, local and visiting artist events.

“DoPT and The YES! House are a wonderful asset that our local businesses can point to when working to attract professionals to our area,” said Kyle Haugen, executive director of Granite Falls Economic Development Authority. “By providing not just art and cultural activities to our area, but a community space for collaboration and creativity, DoPT is providing significant value to our small community.”

Hanson said the next goal for YES! House renovations will be finishing the lower level of the building. DoPT will work with local contractors on the project over the winter.

DoPT will also continue with its visiting artist and community programs, as well as the River Valley Ripple Artist Residency for southwest Minnesota artists, she said.