Nailing the most distinguished possible flag to its mast, the African American Cultural Center will announce today that it will become the August Wilson Center for African American Culture. In honoring the great Pittsburgh-bred playwright, whose name already adorns a theater on Broadway, the center declares its aspiration to be an institution of national visibility.

Simultaneously, the office of Gov. Ed Rendell will announce that the state is committing $5 million to the building on Liberty Avenue, Downtown,, where groundbreaking is planned for this spring, with up to $5 million more to be made available when the initial sum is drawn down. State Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District, will announce an additional state grant of $500,000.

This is in addition to commitments to date of more than $8.4 million from the city of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and other state agencies, $8.5 million from foundation and corporate communities and $500,000 from individuals, putting the center within striking distance of its $35.9 million expected cost -- with the public phase of fund raising still to begin.

August Wilson died at age 60 on Oct. 2, soon after completing the 10th play in his Pittsburgh Cycle of dramas set in each decade of the 20th century. The center's new name is conferred with the blessing of his estate.

Led by Mr. Wilson's widow, Constanza Romero, the estate said in a statement that it is "honored that the center has chosen to change its name. ... We know that this recognition, in his hometown of Pittsburgh, would have meant so very much to him. We thank the center for this lasting tribute to both the man and the artist."

"We know this name gives us a lot to live up to, as does the commonwealth of Pennsylvania's magnificent support," said Neil A. Barclay, president and chief executive officer of the center. "But we recognize the perfect fit between our mission and August Wilson's life, art and all that he inspired. We intend to honor his name, as we are honored by it."

Mr. Barclay described that fit as including not just Mr. Wilson's famous plays and lesser-known poetry and prose, but also the "very compelling narrative about the import in his life of education, of literacy and of not letting a system limit your possibilities.

"Also, his work was so informed by other art forms ... jazz and the blues and visual artists such as Romare Bearden. We're also interested in his take on the role of history, how that informs contemporary issues."

The August Wilson Center, Mr. Barclay said, will not be a museum but a performance center presenting "a holistic picture of African-American culture." But it is also "safe to say we will definitely incorporate knowledge of August and his work in the building -- we have some amazing ideas percolating."

Incorporated in 2002, the center is a not-for-profit organization presenting performing arts, visual arts, and education programs celebrating the contributions of African Americans within the Pittsburgh region and the impact of cultural expressions from Africa to the African diaspora. In the past several years, the center has presented dance, music, film and visual arts events and exhibits.

But much of its energy has gone into fund raising and design for the new 80,000-square-foot facility designed by architect Allison G. Williams, principal of the San Francisco-based firm Perkins+Will. To be built on Liberty Avenue, between the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the Cultural District, it will feature a 500-seat theater with fly loft and orchestra pit; flexible 200-seat performance space; 4,000-square-foot permanent exhibition gallery; 4,000-square-foot gallery for changing art exhibitions; music cafe with 1,500-square-foot seating area; activity spaces; and a large gift store and cyber cafe with direct street access.

Outwardly, its design is intended to express both a prow moving forward and a chest puffed out with pride.