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The Montgomery County Cultural CenterIts Beginning
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.
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.
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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.
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.