The Fox Theatre Institute (FTI), a dynamic Atlanta-based outreach
program created by the Fox Theatre, awarded its first grant for 2016 to the
Schaefer Center in Toccoa, GA, where James Brown and the Famous Flames got
their start more than 50 years ago.
The Preservation Grant Program is designed to provide funds
for the maintenance, physical improvement, and preservation of theaters
throughout the state. Grants are awarded
to projects that will provide significant economic and cultural impacts to the
communities they serve.
Fox Theatre General Manager Adina Erwin and Fox Theatre
Institute Director Carmie McDonald presented a check at a special ceremony
during the Main Street Awards in Toccoa Thursday, Jan. 28. The money will be
used to recreate the venue’s historic marquee, adding visibility to the theater
and visually reconnecting it to the adjacent square.
The grant means a lot to the community theater. “We are very
pleased to have this grant award presented to us during the Main Street Awards
Ceremony. It is indeed meaningful as the
ceremony was in the Schaefer Center, the perfect venue for the big check
presentation. We look forward to the
reconstruction of the marquee which will truly enhance the vitality of Toccoa’s
Main Street” said City of Toccoa Mayor Evan Hellenga.
“Years ago, the Fox Theatre was saved by the community it
served. We understand the value of support both financially and strategically,”
said the Fox Theatre’s Erwin. “We’ve worked with the Schaefer Center in the
past, and believe that they’re the perfect theater to kick off this year’s series
of grants!”
FTI Director Carmie McDonald said, “The City of Toccoa has
been a great steward of the Schaefer Center.
This grant marks the final stage in their project and a milestone
accomplishment in their community. We
want to recognize their long term commitment to the theater and to downtown
Toccoa as a whole.”
As a nonprofit, the Fox Theatre Inc.’s mission is to preserve the
Fox Theatre in order to share it with future generations. In 2008, the Fox launched FTI, an outreach
program offering preservation and operations advice to revitalize communities,
one theatre at a time. Since inception,
FTI has supported 15 projects across Georgia, totaling more than $360,000 in
grants.
Future grants additional Georgia theaters will be announced
later in the year. For more information, visit www.foxtheatreinstitute.org .
###
About FTI:
The Fox Theatre Institute
(FTI) is a dynamic outreach program offering historic preservation expertise,
consultation and education to performing arts venues in Georgia and the region.
Created by Atlanta’s “Fabulous Fox” Theatre, an iconic attraction widely
applauded for being a catalyst for positive change in the community, FTI pays
it forward, helping other cultural institutions renew, reinvigorate and restore
artistic vitality in their backyards and beyond. Keeping environmental and
economic impact top of mind, FTI offers the financial assistance, restoration
support and operations mentoring needed to leverage scarce resources and
stimulate local economies. Not only that, but it keeps the artistic pulse of beloved
communities beating for decades to come. FTI was recently featured on NPR’s
Marketplace for its substantial impact on historical theatre restoration and
community building throughout Georgia and the Southeast. For more information,
visit www.foxtheatreinstitute.org.
About the Fox Theatre:
The
Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta’s premiere venues for live entertainment and
declared a Top Stop of the Decade by Venues Today Magazine and the #1 non–
residency venue worldwide for the decade by Billboard Magazine. In April 2013,
Rolling Stone Magazine announced that the Fox Theatre was one of “The Best Big
Rooms in America” as part of their “Venues That Rock” series. In addition, The
Fox Theatre was nominated for Theatre of the Year by Billboard and Pollstar
Magazines, and awarded the Outstanding Historic Theatre of the Year award in
2011 by the League of Historic American Theatres. For the past decade, The Fox
Theatre has been consistently ranked in the top three non– residency theatres
in North America for gross ticket sales by industry trade magazines, Pollstar,
Billboard and Venues Today. The Fox Theatre has the #1 social media presence
for any theatre or performing arts center in North America, for any venue between
2,000 and 5,000 seats, and for any Georgia venue according to the Social Media
Power 100 compiled by Venues Today Magazine. The Fox’s 4,678 seat theatre hosts
250 performances a year. An impressive range of events from rock concerts to
Broadway, ballets, comedy and movies continue to attract more than 500,000
visitors per year. In addition, The Fox is host to wedding receptions, trade
shows, corporate meetings and association functions in its fabulous ballrooms,
lounge and outdoor terrace. As a 501(c)(3) non– profit arts organization, the
Fox Theatre stands today as a fiercely protected landmark and a nationally
acclaimed theater and is celebrating its 86th year. The Fox Theatre proudly
acknowledges our partners for their generous support: Delta, Coca– Cola, Lexus,
Georgia Natural Gas, Regions, Atlanta Beverage– Budweiser, Grady Health
Systems, and The Georgian Terrace Hotel. Tickets for all events are available
at The Fox Theatre Ticket Office, online at www.FoxTheatre.org, and at all
Metro Atlanta Whole Foods Markets, or toll free at 855– 285– 8499. For group
sales information contact The Fox Theatre at (404) 881– 2000, or visit The Fox
Theatre website at www.foxtheatre.org.
