“As we recently celebrated the Fox Theatre Institute’s tenth year, it’s an honor to be a part of the ongoing story of historic preservation in several community theaters throughout Georgia,” said Adina Erwin, vice president and COO of the Fox Theatre. “These local historic landmarks hold immense value within each community, and it’s important for FTI to invest and give back to these exceptional venues for future generations.”

FTI Preservation Grant Recipients

The Preservation Grant, also known as the brick-and-mortar grant, is an annual basis grant awarded to assist theaters in completing projects.

ART Station (Stone Mountain, GA), Amount to receive: $57,000
ART Station began a $1.3 million campaign for facility improvements and theater expansion; funding from FTI will be used toward new theater lighting, sound equipment, turn table and hydraulics.

Holly Theatre Community Center (Dahlonega, GA), Amount to receive: $22,500
FTI’s funding will assist the Holly Theatre with completing the next phase of their project to study structural areas of the stage and supporting backstage areas, including final architectural drawings and the immediate upgrade of several items required for enhanced safety and comfort.

Rylander Theatre (Americus, GA), Amount to receive: $50,000
Rylander Theatre will restore the bricks-and-mortar on a portion of the exterior wall as well as excavate the existing sidewalk, make conduit repairs and repour the sidewalk with this grant.

Sandersville School Building Authority (Sandersville, GA), Amount to receive: $46,060The FTI funds granted will focus on improvements to the auditorium theater, including two HVAC units; LED lighting instruments and sound equipment as well as exterior gutters and drains for the theater area.

Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre (Marietta, GA), Amount to receive: $15,860
The Strand will install a new elevator that would bring performers from the three different levels of the backstage area safely as needed for performances while addressing ADA needs.

The Backlot Players/Rose Theatre (Forsyth, GA), Amount to receive: $13,500
With the assistance of this grant, the Backlot Players aim to convert the Rose Theatre’s changeable channel letter marquee to a digital marquee with LED lighting.

FTI Historic Structures Studies or Planning Grant Recipients
Recipients awarded the Periodic Technical Assistance and Services Grant will receive support of the completion of a historic structure study or planning. FTI will also provide guidance on the study, planning the implementation process and how to secure expertise.

Grove Park Community Foundation (Atlanta, GA), Amount to receive: $50,000
This grant will help continue space planning, architectural design work and pro forma development for the Grove Theatre in order to prepare for the funding and renovation that will create a community arts and education center.

Plaza Theatre (Atlanta, GA), Amount to receive: $32,580
Plaza Theatre will use these funds to complete an overall preservation planning project including the restoration of missing original marquee elements; replacing non-historic front doors; and renovations of the front lobby ceiling, backstage, concession stands and restrooms.

Roosevelt Theatre (Jefferson, GA), Amount to receive: $32,500
This grant will be used to hire a qualified architectural firm and generate a preservation plan to guide the rehabilitation of the historic venue – returning the building to its original use as a single-screen movie theatre.

FTI Technical Assistance and Services Grants

City of Winterville/Winterville Auditorium (Winterville, GA), Amount to receive: $5,000
FTI’s grant will provide funding for a strategic plan for Winterville Auditorium. This plan will provide a roadmap for the future operation and use of the auditorium involving community input, as well as interaction with Winterville’s mayor and city council.

FTI Urgent/Emergency Grant Recipients

Eatonton Downtown Development Authority (Eatonton, GA), Amount to receive: $50,000
This grant has been recently awarded to assist the Eatonton Downtown Development Authority in purchasing the Pex Theatre. This purchase has allowed Eatonton to preserve and honor the city’s rich architectural heritage for future generations.

Liberty Theatre Cultural Center (Columbus, GA), Amount to receive: $50,000
The Liberty Theatre is one of only three historic African-American theaters in Georgia, and this FTI grant will help install a completely new roof as it nears the 25-year mark for a replacement.

Southside Theatre Guild (Fairburn, GA), Amount to receive: $75,000
The Southside Theatre Guild needs a complete replacement of the existing roof, and this grant will help the theater ensure historic materials remains intact with the building while increasing safety of the roof and façade.

As part of its ongoing commitment to Georgia’s historic theaters, the 2020 FTI grant program seeks to provide significant economic and cultural impact to local communities across the state. Grants will be awarded to projects designed to provide significant economic and cultural impact to the communities they serve. Grant award winners will also receive operations expertise and guidance through seminars, and strategic planning fostering professional development.

FTI’s Preservation Grant Program and Historic Preservation Services to date supported 64 projects totaling more than $1,580,817 in maintenance and physical improvement efforts over the past 10 years. FTI has shared a great success with supporting economic development through historic preservation.

“We know the benefit of our funds go far beyond the actual brick-and-mortar repair of the buildings,” said Leigh Burns, director of Fox Theatre Institute. “As we once again partner with preservation and economic organizations, our hope is that the positive domino effect of preservation encourages other business and tourism efforts locally and regionally.”