Fox Theatre Institute Awards $50,000 Grant to Springer Opera House for Essential Repairs

Last month, the Fox Theatre Institute (FTI), the community partnerships division of Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, awarded the Springer Opera House a $50,000 grant to support crucial repairs to the roof and the replacement of the HVAC system in the Springer’s education building. FTI, based in Atlanta, provides programming, consulting, and grant funding to historic theaters and structures throughout Georgia and the Southeast. This recent grant cycle saw FTI commit over $500,000 across three funding categories.

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 Fox Theatre, FTI helps other cultural institutions renew, reinvigorate, and restore artistic vitality. FTI offers financial assistance, restoration support, and operations mentoring to leverage resources and stimulate local economies, ensuring the artistic pulse of beloved communities remains strong. Since its inception in 2008, FTI has committed over $3.3 million across four grant categories: Preservation, Historic Structure Studies, Technical Assistance, and Urgent/Emergency Grants, each offering up to $500,000 in support.

“With FTI’s grant of $50,000, we will be better equipped to serve our community’s families with more class offerings and higher capacity,” said Tate LeClair, Director of Development for the Springer. “This funding enables us to continue our mission of making theatre arts an instrument for education, community dialogue, entertainment, and growth through a variety of programming, training, artistic development, and outreach.”

The Fox Theatre, one of Atlanta’s premier live entertainment venues, hosts more than 250 performances annually in its 4,665-seat theatre. The historic venue attracts over 500,000 visitors each year for concerts, ballets, comedy, and movies, as well as over 100 private events like wedding receptions and corporate meetings. The Fox’s Marquee Club, presented by Lexus, is a luxurious three-story bar available to Club Level ticket holders or annual members. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization, the Fox Theatre is a protected landmark and nationally acclaimed theatre.

Leigh Burns, Director of the Fox Theatre Institute, shared, “Now in our 15th year, FTI has had a tremendous opportunity to increase not only the preservation of historic theatres but also to see positive results for the ongoing economic and cultural impact created in their surrounding downtowns. We have many exciting plans for the next 15 years and look forward to continuing investing and expanding the footprint of our programs.”

FTI also manages outreach initiatives such as “Fox in a Box,” a free educational program for Georgia’s elementary schools; Georgia Presenters, a statewide talent booking network; and Preservation Grants, which offer funding options for historic theatre preservation. For more information, visit www.foxtheatre.org.

The Springer Opera House, located in Columbus, Georgia, is a producing theatre company housed within a 152-year-old national historic landmark. As one of only seven producing theatres in the country with such a unique setting, the Springer Opera House has a rich history of cultural preservation and artistic excellence. Recognized as the State Theatre of Georgia during its 100th Anniversary Season in 1971, the Springer is dedicated to using the performing arts for education, participation, entertainment, and growth, while preserving its historic significance. The Springer Theatre Academy, one of America’s largest youth theatre training conservatories, enhances its mission by imparting valuable “Life Skills through Stage Skills” to students ages 5-18.

For more information, visit www.springeroperahouse.org or stay connected on social media via @theFoxTheatre on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Jhai James, Marketing Manager, Springer Opera House