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Mars Theatre grant recipient
0715 mars at night file
The Mars Theatre in Springfield. - photo by File photo

The Fox Theatre Institute has announced that the Mars Theatre in Springfield is a recipient of a Georgia Presenter’s Block Booking Grant. 

Georgia Presenters, managed by the Fox Theatre Institute in Atlanta, is a statewide booking consortium encouraging collaboration among arts presenters in Georgia and the region. Block Booking Grants encourage partnerships across three or more venues in Georgia and benefit the presenter and the artist by saving on fees and expenses.

 “We are extremely thankful to the Fox Theatre Institute and Georgia Presenters”, said Mars Theatre Director Allison Newberry. “This past year has been hard on the entire entertainment industry. While many venues across the state are open and working to get back to normal, many are still struggling with fundraising and attendance. The grants we apply for help offset costs for live shows. 

"The block booking grant we were awarded was used for the John Denver tribute show we had September 11”. 

About Fox Theatre Institute

 The Fox Theatre Institute (FTI) is a dynamic outreach program offering historic preservation and operations expertise, consultation and educational support to performing arts venues in Georgia and the southeast region. Created by Atlanta's Fox Theatre -- an iconic attraction widely applauded for being a catalyst for positive change in the community -- FTI pays it forward, helping other cultural institutions renew, reinvigorate and restore artistic vitality in their respective communities

 In keeping environmental and economic impact top of mind, FTI offers financial assistance, restoration support and often operations mentoring to leverage sometimes scarce resources and stimulate local economies. 

FTI was founded in 2008 in response to a statewide need for assistance with the restoration and operation of Georgia's historic theatres. Since that time, the Fox Theatre has awarded more than $1.8 million in financial support as well as shared its organizational experience with more than seventy other theatres. FTI provides historic preservation grants and guidance, offers professional development through seminars and strategic planning, and manages Georgia Presenters. 

About Mars Theatre 

Mars Theatre is a single-screen theatre with a stage perfect for small groups and performances. Opening in 1945, it operated as a theatre for 12 years before closing. 

In 1990, the Springfield Revitalization Corporation adopted the Mars as its project. After being purchased by the City of Springfield and along with a Preservation Grant from the Fox Theatre Institute, the Mars reopened in April 2014. Over the past seven years, thousands have come to enjoy live performances.

 First-run movies can be seen most Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.