Albion, Michigan, October 11, 2016 – The Friends of the Bohm Theatre has been awarded a grant of $70,000 from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). The grant was awarded through the MCACA peer review process and was one of 559 applicants to compete for MCACA fiscal year 2016 – 2017 funding. This grant money will support the Bohm’s ability to add an additional screen resulting in expanded operations and programming. The expansion will provide an intimate 41-seat screening room to facilitate film arts education and intimate discussion opportunities.
Organizations receiving a MCACA grant award are required to to match those funds with other public and private dollars. Local support of the project included the Albion Community Foundation, as well as a low interest rural development loan from the USDA.
Because of the vibrancy the theatre has brought to Albion and the community demand for more film content, the Bohm Theatre is expanding its current operating facility to add a second screening room next door. “A second screen will allow the Bohm Theatre to provide greater diversity in films while expanding other program opportunities,” said Nancy Doyal, Executive Director of the Bohm. “Since the Bohm is currently a single screen movie theatre, we are extremely limited to what movies we can show to the public. With this expansion, the Bohm will be able to meet Albion’s high demand for art house films, additional first run movies, and other special event programming, while continuing to serve as a hub for community unification and growth.”
The MCACA peer review process allows for each grant application to be competitively considered by a panel of in-state and out-of-state arts and cultural professionals. This ensures the taxpayers, who support this project through legislative appropriations, and all other visitors or residents in Michigan will have access to the highest quality arts and cultural experiences.
A complete list of grant awards around the state is available by contacting MCACA at (517) 241-4011, or by visiting the MCACA website by clicking here.
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Friends of Bohm Theatre is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Friends of the Bohm Theatre was established to lead and support efforts to rehabilitate and preserve the historic Bohm Theatre. Their mission is to create a dynamic venue for film, performing arts, and arts education activities to meet the needs of Albion, Michigan and the surrounding area.