Fox Theatre Institute Announces Emergency Hurricane Relief Grant Program

The Fox Theatre Institute (FTI) in late 2018 began an additional Urgent/Emergency Grant program that will provide financial assistance to historic theaters and arts centers across Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. This additional funding is for historic resources impacted by recent catastrophic damages from Hurricanes Florence and Michael. This one-time initiative will provide over $350,000 in funding to both repair and restore historic resources and offer blighted historic arts programming centers needed emergency aid. This program was assisted as well by the State Historic Preservation Offices in both North and South Carolina as their expertise has proven invaluable. Three historic theaters have already been awarded grants while other eligible recipients are strongly urged to apply.

"The Town of Cheraw is incredibly fortunate to be awarded funds from the Fox Theatre Institute to repair the roof on the Theatre on the Green" said Rodney Tucker, planning and community development director for the city of Cheraw. "Winds tore the theatre's roof open and then the storm hovered over the city, leaving more than 22 inches of rain. We are very thankful to the Fox Theatre for helping us restore the theatre's majestic ceiling and helping preserve our historic resources for future generations of theatre goers."

The Fox Theatre Institute will additionally award up to $200,000 to other historical theaters and arts centers impacted by 2018's devastating hurricane season if qualified and if applications are received before April 15, 2019. Qualified theaters interested in applying for this remaining funding should be ineligible to receive immediate funding through FEMA assistance or insurance claims. All theaters must be either eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or currently listed. Theaters are encouraged to apply by completing the application on the FTI website and sending it directly by email to Leigh Burns at leigh.burns@foxtheatre.org. Historic theaters must be owned or operated by a non-profit, city or county organization. Approval for funding will be contingent by the review of an internal committee within the FTI organization as well as a site visit from the FTI Director. Actual hurricane grant project work must be completed by June 30, 2019, and all projects require two estimates for repair and rehabilitation.

"The Fox Theatre Institute is dedicated to keeping the heartbeat of historic theaters alive," said Adina Erwin, vice president and chief operating officer of the Fox Theatre. "After witnessing the magnitude of the damage caused by Hurricanes Florence and Michael, we knew that we needed to step up for our southeastern theaters that needed assistance and help them get back on their feet so they can continue to serve their communities through the arts.

Hurricane Grant Recipients

Dillon County Theatre (Dillon, SC) Awarded $50,000 - Built in 1919, and ravaged by the rains of Hurricane Florence, Dillon County Theatre's auditorium was flooded up to row E after water breached its roof and walls and wind damaged its HVAC units. The money received will help fix the roof and repair needed HVAC units.

Theatre on the Green (Cheraw, SC) Awarded $50,000 - Hurricane Florence nearly destroyed the roof of Theatre on the Green, leading to severe interior damage, including major roof damage. The theatre, built in 1920, also experienced some failing plaster as well as wall and ceiling damage. These funds will provide a new roof for the historic theatre.

Pamlico Center of the Arts/Turnage Theatre (Washington, NC) Awarded: $50,000 - Built in 1913, the Turnage Theatre has offered fine arts programming to Washington, North Carolina for more than 100 years. This funding will help repair sustained damages to the interior and support ongoing work in the upper story of the theatre.

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