FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – The Pearl Street Arts Center opens its doors Wednesday night, kicking off a mix of public and private events hosted to celebrate the new addition to the city's art community. Jim Palermo, executive director of Pearl Arts, said the goal of the center is for community members to use its resources to build skills in arts, education and entrepreneurship. "[Pearl Street Arts Center is] going to have a lot of programs for young people ... to learn how to become the next Chuck Surack," Palermo said. "We want everyone to understand that you can make your way in the music industry." After 5 years of planning and construction, the $24.5 million project has created 37,000 square feet of auditorium space, practice rooms, and classrooms for community members and Pearl Arts Music Academy students. Raising Cane’s announces opening date for Fort Wayne location While the ribbon cutting on Wednesday night is invite-only, concerts are scheduled following the center's opening. Community members are welcome to sit in one of the 400 seats in the June E. Enoch Auditorium to watch the 'Hip-Hop Orchestra Experience' perform at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. On Thursday, The Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s Back Row Trio will perform from 11 a.m. to noon. On Friday, pianist Alicia Pyle will be joined by vocalist Stephanie Carlson to perform Broadway songs from 11 a.m. to noon. On Saturday, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra performs at 7 p.m. The concert is sold out. All concerts are free to attend. There are 16 practice rooms the Pearl Arts Music Academy can utilize. Practice rooms include pianos and drum sets. The June E. Enoch Auditorium seats 400 people. Local artist Chris Catalonga created three artworks among many located around the center. Pearl Street Arts Center is located at 234 Pearl St., across from The Pearl. The academy offers half-hour music lessons for over 20 different instruments. Palermo said nearly 350 students have already enrolled in the program. Admission is still open. Scholarships are available. Free classes, ranging in topics from music theory to drum circles, are available at the Pearl Street Arts Center year-round. To learn about the classes and concerts the center offers, visit it's website.