KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A proposed downtown arts campus for the University of Missouri-Kansas City is getting a major boost.

The school announced Wednesday that the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation is pledging $20 million toward the creation of the new campus.

Interest in the downtown location has grown with the recent opening of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Backers say a new campus will increase the profile of the university’s arts programs and the new performing arts facility.

Before beginning with the first phase, an additional $70 million needs to be raised. The first phase involves moving the university’s Conservatory of Music and Dance to a location in the Crossroads District. Other programs would be moved in subsequent phases.

About 500 students are enrolled in the conservatory.