The Montgomery County Cultural Center
It's Beginning
In 1992, the Greater Norristown Corporation, a not
for profit Industrial Development Corporation, in partnership with the
Chamber of Commerce, launched a committee, the Strategic Council for
the Arts (SCAN), chaired by James Holton, then Superintendent of the
Norristown Area School District. Borough and county leadership,
educators, commerce directors, architecture and media representatives
as well as service advocacy organizations joined Dr. Holton in
conducting the study. Through a series of work sessions, interviews and
research, SCAN determined that a clear need existed for a comprehensive
County based Cultural Center.
At
the conclusion of the study, SCAN submitted its findings to the GNC
Board. This Strategic Report included a strong case for a Cultural
Center. Members of SCAN were convinced that a Cultural Center
would:-have the ability to evoke a passion for the Arts, whose message
can sustain and unify community life;-provide a common location for
direct study and expression of the Arts and allow instructors to take
theworkshops, lessons, performers and performances throughout the
county;- increase involvement in the Arts by all ages, all stages;-
provide opportunities for professionals and non-professionals in all of
the art areas to teach, compose, designand perform.
In 1993, as a result of the SCAN
findings, the Greater Norristown Society for the Arts was formed and
incorporated as a non-profit corporation. The Society's Board of Directors,
established itself as a 501 (c) (3) organization under the Internal
Revenue Code. Plans were made to open a Cultural Center at 208 DeKalb
Street in the County Seat. This site will provide Montgomery County
residents with a center from which the impact of the Arts can be felt
in our communities.
Important aspects of the Montgomery
County Cultural Center have come together. Classes and workshops are
being offered in all areas of the arts under the guidance of master
teachers. There is a summer program for children called Kids: The Heart
of the arts that runs for five weeks, four and a half hours a day.
There is a seventy-five seat professional theater, The Centre Theater,
with a theater company in house that does three productions a season.
Two other theater groups are in residence and collaborate on many
productions of The Centre Theater. The 2001-2002 season productions
included: THE COMING OF THE HURRICANE, by Keith Glover, CURSE OF THE
STARVING CLASS by Sam Shepard, both collaborations with Iron Age
Theater, and the final production, a musical, CITY OF ANGELS. Also,
presented will be concerts both in house and a special holiday concert
at our local high school auditorium. The collaborations further the
idea of a society of artists.
In
2005, the Boy Scouts of America under the direction of Eagle Scout
Candidate Alan Johnson-McNutt, renovated the forth floor lobby of the
Centre Theater. This renovation included a new box office and seating
along with a good coat of paint and recessed benches. This enhanced the
lobby and accented the catalogue of the shows which litter the lobby
walls. The Montgomery COunty Cultural Center is rennovating its first
floor to include an alternative perfromance space, more intimate that
the theater and on street level.
This is a thrilling time for both the
Montgomery County Cultural Center and the community. We hope to extend
the excitement to those in need and establish a ticket giving and
tuition forgiveness program for people who need it. We hope that more
and more people make use of the facility and enhance their lives with
the excitement that has come to the county seat.
The Center celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006.