Urban Artist Exchange Amphitheater Honored With AIA Delaware Design Award

The Urban Artist Exchange Outdoor Amphitheater in Wilmington, designed by Architectural Alliance and built by EDiS, recently received a Delaware Design Award from the American Institute of Architects.(Photo courtesy of EDiS)

WILMINGTON — The Urban Artist Exchange (UAE) Outdoor Amphitheater has been named a recipient of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Delaware Design Awards Program.

The program highlights the transformative impact of architectural design while celebrating the projects and people that contribute to Delaware’s vibrancy.

The UAE project transformed long-abandoned Wilmington Police Department horse stables into a multi-disciplinary arts campus.

“The Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange demonstrates the power of the arts in bringing people together,” said Mayor John Carney. “Thank you to Director Betz and everyone who worked for years to create a creative and educational space for the community.”

Led by Wilmington Director of Cultural Affairs Tina Betz, the project officially opened with the launch of the Arts Work Summer Youth Apprenticeship Program. The renovation work was completed by apprentices and masters with the Challenge Program in the city’s East Side Historic District.

The amphitheater was designed by Architectural Alliance and constructed by EDiS, opening for its first performance in May 2023. In May 2025, the campus was renamed The Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange in recognition of Betz’s leadership.

“Recognizing this project with a design award is a testament to our city’s persistence, creativity, and most importantly, our vibrant arts community,” said Director Tina Betz. “The UAE was fifteen years in the making and worth every minute of the journey. Thank you to Architectural Alliance, EDiS, and the entire project team for helping bring this vision to life, and to the AIA team for being there every step of the way.”

Awards were selected by a five-member jury of architects from AIA Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. In their comments, the jury stated:

“The plan demonstrates a thoughtful and strategic orientation, effectively responding to the site, function, and surrounding roadway network. While the design introduces a departure from the existing vernacular through its form, it maintains cohesion through a consistent material palette. Notably, the careful attention given to the rear façade is commendable, recognizing its prominence as the most frequently viewed elevation.”

The amphitheater and UAE team will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony later this month.