About The Fox Theatre Institute

Overview

The Fox Theatre Institute (FTI) is the premier source for advice and consultation about historic theater restoration, preservation and operations. By referencing the experience and success of The Fabulous Fox Theatre, The Fox Theatre Institute provides guidance to other theatres so that they too can create thriving arts programs in their own communities.

With the hope of educating theatres about techniques to successfully operate and maintain their historic structures, the broader goal is to inspire leaders, encourage involvement in the arts and positively impact the cultural landscape of Georgia. Here is a brief rundown of what FTI offers:

• Educational Seminars and Workshops
• Guides and Curriculum for Training Programs
• Enhanced Internships at The Fox Theatre
• Fellowships
• Strategic Planning
• Theatre-to-Theatre Mentor Programs
• Onsite Project Management
• Preservation/Restoration Expertise
• Operations Expertise
• Programming
• Arts Development
• Production
• Sales & Marketing
• Event Management
• Housekeeping & Maintenance
• Ticketing & Group Sales

Through theatre restoration and education, The Fox Theatre Institute creates stronger communities.

MISSION and VISION of The Fox Theatre Institute:

Mission: The Fox Theatre Institute seeks to be a viable model for linking communities and historic performing venues by providing successful preservation and operations expertise and experience.

Vision: The Fox Theatre Institute seeks to be a nationally recognized leader in preservation and operations expertise for the building of theatre audiences and economic revitalization, resulting in strong arts communities.

The Fox Theatre Institute is the only comprehensive theatre preservation organization in the United States. The goal of The Fox Theatre Institute is to assist other historic theatres in Georgia with operations and restoration needs by sharing and leveraging the assets of The Fox Theatre.

As a recognized leader in the community, we want The Fox Theatre and The Fox Theatre Institute to be catalysts for change and economic development. FTI will help guide other theatres in their efforts to restore not only their buildings but also their positions as cultural centers of their communities.Throughout The Fox Theatre's dynamic history, it has stood as a landmark that acknowledges Atlanta's vibrant past while adapting to modern times and lifestyles. Now, The Fox Theatre Institute wants to help other theatres with their own journey.

ABOUT The Fox Theatre

The Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque, was designed in the late 1920's as headquarters for the 5,000-member Shriners organization. Surviving the economy has been a way of life for the building. Cost overruns threatened the Yaarab Temple mosque from the outset. To generate additional funding, the Shriners worked out a deal with movie mogul William Fox, who at that time was building movie "palaces" nationwide.

After surviving the depression, The Fox faced competition with television, suburban flight and a changing movie industry as patrons looked elsewhere for entertainment. The Fox was reduced to showing second-run movies to dwindling audiences. The Fox faced yet another threat-the relentless growth of metropolitan Atlanta.

The building was sold to Southern Bell with plans to demolish it to make way for their headquarters. After a tremendous community effort to save the building, The Fox was rescued with the help of Atlanta Landmarks, Inc., a non-profit organization of interested, energetic and committed Atlantans. Their four-year "Save The Fox" fundraising campaign opened the hearts and purse strings of individuals and corporate donors. Under Atlanta Landmarks, Inc.'s ownership, The Fox was once again on sound financial footing, serving as a multi-purpose performing arts center.

In 1976, documents were submitted qualifying The Fox to be designated a National Historic Landmark. The restoration program began with an army of volunteers cleaning the interiors for the first benefit concert.

As time passed, the restoration work required expert artisans to make the building attractive enough to draw large audiences and quality shows. An in-house restoration staff of highly skilled artisans was hired to maintain the theatre as well as restore and preserve the significant architectural features of The Fox in an authentic manner. To date, more than $25 million has been spent in restoration efforts.

At present, the theatre is booked 325 nights a year and has generated millions of dollars for the Atlanta economy. Different events at The Fox attract nearly three-quarters of a million visitors a year, from Atlanta area residents to tourists and international dignitaries. The Fox is a fiercely protected National Historic Landmark, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a Georgia Museum Building.

This nationally acclaimed theater has survived the depression, mortgage foreclosure, bankruptcy, competition, television, real estate development, and age to exist today as a cultural icon.