Friends of the Arts invests $50,000 into group’s efforts to reopen Astra Theatre
Friends of the Arts, Inc. has awarded the Next Act, Inc., a grant for $50,000.
Friends of the Arts is a nonprofit organization with the purpose of promoting and encouraging a greater understanding of the arts in Dubois County.
“We are proud to be a part of this project and pleased to see the Next Act, Inc., proceeding with a long term plan for the Astra Theater,” said Bob McCarty, Friends of the Arts president. “We feel this will promote arts in the entire county.”
The investment is the second largest in the Next Act’s capital campaign. The Dubois County Community Foundation’s announced a $100,000 matching grant in Novemeber.
“I think it speaks volumes to not only what the Astra has meant to this community, but, more importantly, to what it can once again mean in the future,” said Marc Steczyk, Next Act’s Board President. “This support goes beyond the dollar amount, it also shows all of our communities–not just Jasper–that a cultural powerhouse like the Friends believe in what we’re doing. I think that is of significant value, as well.”
The grant dollars have been funneled to The Next Act’s fund to purchase and create an endowment for the Astra Theater in downtown Jasper. More details here.
These funds will be used to purchase the building and to create an endowment that, in the immediate and short term, will assist with the ongoing monthly utility, insurance, and routine maintenance costs. In the long term, the endowment, which is housed within the Dubois County Community Foundation, will assist in the perpetual sustainability of the building.
The Next Act’s effort to purchase and endow a sustainability fund for the Astra officially began in December 2014 with a goal of raising $465,000 by March 31, 2015.
For additional information about the Friends of the Arts, contact Bob McCarty, president, at 812-482-5542 or by mail at P.O. Box 864, Jasper, Indiana 47547. For additional information about Next Act, Inc., their effort to save the Astra, and the individuals that make up the board of directors, please visit www.TheNextAct.org.
