Rock Shows
Concerts continue to grow in popularity with local and regional acts. Rock shows produced by teenagers introduce a new generation to the Arts Center and expose the power of the internet and social media. With a record attendance of over five hundred at a concert produced by a school business class, young people prove that makeup is no longer just for theatrical productions.
Expanding Programs Crowd Center
With a drastic increase in attendance and the number of productions over the course of the Center’s eight years, more space is needed. Annual programming includes three major theater productions plus the SLAM summer musical and other readings, ten exhibits, multiple adult and youth workshops, eight film screenings, concerts, recitals and community events. The Board eyes available real estate and prepares the organization to become ready for a capital campaign.
A New Home
After raising $100,000 from the membership in just three months, a Baptist Church built in 1869 is purchased to become the new permanent home of Springville Center for the Arts. An army of volunteers prepares the structure, removing debris, constructing a stage, gallery walls and kitchen. The key turning ceremony gives the public a preview of the “interim setup” with many state and local officials present.
Harold L. Olmsted Gallery
The Main Street exhibition space closes August 31, 2007 and opens the next day in the church. Named after local architect, landscape designer and artist Harold L. Olmsted, the transition to the new space is supported by relations, friends and the many people he influenced over the years. The first exhibit features photographs by notable area residents that are auctioned off at a “black tie and hard hat” event.
Carol Mongerson Theater
Theater productions move to the temporary set up in the ninety-seat Carol Mongerson Theater. The local school donates seating which originated with the Community Musical program forty years earlier. Mongerson, a local playwright, director and artist was key to the formation of the center. Like many, she had long dreamed of a permanent space but sadly passed before it could be realized.
World View
With a larger house and stage, new possibilities arise and the Arts Center features artists from outside of the area. Programs include African dance, classical, New Orleans blues, and contemporary percussion.
Direct access to the arts
Programming continues to encourage direct access to the arts. Theater productions engage dozens of participants. Workshops in visual and performing arts reach seniors, children, the experienced and the new. Local residency programs begin and new collaborations with arts providers in the region pairs professionals with nonprofessionals working together on projects.
Summer Internship Program
2011: An annual summer program is created, bringing college students from around the US to teach and perform in Springville. Starting out with four theater interns, the program is expanded to include visual arts, media, arts administration interns. Each year, these interns teach workshops, direct children’s theater shows, create public art and more.
Art’s Cafe Acquisition
With a successful campaign to raise over $30,000 in 30 days with an online platform, SCA acquires 5 East Main Street and begins a long-term project to transform the collapsed structure into artist residencies, workshop space, public green roof and a cafe. Through a public shareholder program and historic tax credits, major construction on the space in completed in December 2019, allowing art workshops to begin in basement workshop and the Backdoor Bakery to open in September 2020, as a stepping stone to the full cafe. Read more about the project here.
Classroom Addition & Exterior Restoration
2012-2017: With the assistance of the New York State Historic Preservation Office, NY Homes & Community Renewal, Empire State Development, Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, New York State Council on the Arts, The County of Erie, The Springville-Griffith Community Education Foundation, Western New York Foundation, Baird Foundation, John R. Oishei Foundation, M&T Bank and many individual donations, the Center begins phase two of the building project. Exterior repairs to roofing and masonry stabilize the building. A second story classroom addition named for volunteer and artist Frances Vacanti provides dedicated classroom space for the growing educational programs.
Mongerson Theater & Program Expansion
Capping off several million dollars in renovations, the theater will be completed in 2022. The project focus on making the building accessible, efficient and comfortable, while providing increased programs for all ages and spaces for the arts in the Springville Area for generations to come.
