The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts is hosting a ribbon-cutting and open house this weekend to celebrate two key anniversaries and its new accessible north entrance, completed after years of planning and construction.

The Shedd Institute in downtown Eugene is commemorating its building’s 1926 construction as well as the 35th anniversary of the Shedd itself. The institute began in 1991 as the Oregon Festival of American Music, before growing into a year-round venue with a dedicated building.

The new entrance is at 868 High St., complete with an elevator to improve access to the building. That’s where the ribbon-cutting will take place, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17. The institute requests that attendees park in the large lot across the street, at Seventh Avenue and Pearl Street.

Comments from elected officials will kick off the day, before welcoming attendees into the building to explore the renovations and new entrance, in addition to the classrooms, performance halls and other spaces in the building. Children can fill out a Shedd bingo card, playing on at least eight different musical instruments during the event.

Annie Aguiar is the Arts and Culture Correspondent. She has reported arts news and features for national and local newsrooms, including at the Seattle Times, the Washington Post and most recently as a reporting fellow for the New York Times’ Culture desk covering arts and entertainment.