The Fox Theatre Institute (FTI), a division of Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, Inc., has awarded (Theatre Macon) a (Urgent/Emergency Fund) Grant for ($25,000) to (help offset the expense of replacing the aging roof on the historic downtown theatre). FTI offers programming, consulting and grant funding assistance to historic theaters and structures throughout Georgia. Overall, the FTI program has committed over $480,000 in three funding categories, completing a record-breaking year of giving.
 
“With the Fox Theatre Institute’s grant of $25,000, we will be able to make repairs necessary to ensure our theatre and all that we do under that one roof, remain dry and safe,” said Annette Anderson, Theatre Manager. “We are grateful for the funding opportunity that allows us to continue to offer quality entertainment to the citizens of Macon.”
 
As part of its ongoing commitment to Georgia’s historic theaters, the Fox Theatre’s newly expanded 2018-19 FTI grant program seeks to provide significant economic and cultural impact to local communities across the state. FTI is part of the Fox Theatre’s overall strategic plan to further increase its impact and outreach.
 
“The Fox Theatre was preserved because a truly impressive group of local community members, with grit and enthusiasm, helped to preserve the historic value of the Fox Theatre,” said Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Fox Theatre, Inc. Adina Erwin. “The Fox Theatre Institute was formed ten years ago to help aid other historic theatres across the state, partnering with local communities to make a real impact on these local communities. The Fox Theatre Institute knows that preservation of theatres can help revitalize downtowns, bring art and cultural significance to these regions and engage people to care for their local community.”
 
The FTI program has committed more than $1 million since launching in 2008. The Historic Preservation Grant is one of four grant funding categories through FTI – including Historic Structures Studies or Planning, Technical Assistance and Services, and Urgent/Emergency Grant – all of which allows up to $500,000 of much needed statewide grant subsidy.
 
“We are so excited for this new grant cycle, as the Fox Theatre Institute is so honored to support these amazing historic cultural venues around the state,” said Leigh Burns, director of the Fox Theatre Institute. “Our grant program’s aim is to preserve and stabilize these historic theatres for future economic development. We cannot wait to see what these theatres do next and how they will continue to enrich and grow their economic wealth of their communities as well as impacting their surrounding communities as they grow their performing arts venues and reach bigger audiences.”
 
FTI also consists of ‘Fox in a Box,’ a free interactive curriculum-based resource for area elementary schools; Georgia Presenters, an innovative statewide talent booking consortium; and Preservation Grants to encourage preservation of historic theatres with outside funding not readily available elsewhere.