Tift Theatre will jointly host Fox Theatre Institute Grant Big Check Ceremony
The Tift Theatre is one of eleven 2022-2023 FTI grant recipients thanks to the hard work of Jonathan Taylor, City of Tifton Director of IT and Special Projects Manager who managed the project from grant application to installation.
TIFTON, Ga. – The Tift Theatre will jointly host a big check ceremony with the Fox Theatre Institute on Monday, July 10 at 4:00 p.m. for the institute’s Preservation Grant of $70,000 to the historic theatre that was used to help fund repairs to the neon lights and for the purchase and installation of two new LED marquee boards, one on each side of the main entrance.
The Fox Theatre Institute (FLI) is an outreach program, created by Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, that offers historic preservation expertise, consultation and education to performing arts venues in Georgia and the region. The FLI grant categories are Historic Preservation, Historic Structure Studies or Planning and Urgent/Emergency Needs, all that provide historic theatres financial assistance, restoration support and operations mentoring. The Preservation Grant assists theatres in completing projects that directly affect the integrity of the building or structure itself.
This is the second Preservation Grant the Tift Theatre has received from the Fox Theatre Institute. The theatre was awarded $77,027 in 2017, which the City of Tifton matched, to repair and restore the interior seating. At that time, the grant was the largest single-amount awarded in the history of the program.
Leigh Burns, Director of FTI, who will be attending the check ceremony on Monday says, “We are thrilled to further invest in historic theatres here in the Southeast. Our work continues to expand and support important economic and community development connecting us all to imperative touchstones for the arts.”
The Tift Theatre is one of eleven 2022-2023 FTI grant recipients thanks to the hard work of Jonathan Taylor, City of Tifton Director of IT and Special Projects Manager who managed the project from grant application to installation. The City of Tifton remains committed to restoring the Tift Theatre and understands the importance of preserving the historic theatre and its impact on the community. Taylor will continue to apply for grants to assist in its restoration.
The Tift Theatre was built in 1937 and is in both a local landmark district and the Tifton Commercial National Register Historic District. “I am excited about the updates to the theatre’s sign and marquees and believe they are one of many steps to be done in an effort to improve and restore the theatre to its full potential,” said Tift Theatre Business Manager Alex Joyner. “The goal is to bring new and exciting performances to the Tift Theatre and make a positive impact to both downtown and the community. Upgrades and repairs like these are needed to preserve the theatre’s history and allow people to continue to enjoy local performing arts.”
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