Our Vision

Inspired by the aspirations of the grange movement, Ancram Center for the Arts creates meaningful encounters through the performing arts that forge connection for residents living in a rural region. We believe performances—experienced in our small, intimate space—offer moments for discovery, instill a sense of place and contribute to a healthier and happier community. We also look to Ancram’s pastoral character to nurture artistic creation.

Our Next Act

Ancram Opera House was reinaugurated in 2016 with an ambitious season for a fledgling theatre. Running from June to August, it featured the launch of our community storytelling program, Real People Real Stories, and a family-friendly performance of Les Moutons, staged outdoors on the lawn.

CASH GIFTS

You may wish to consider supporting the campaign through an outright gift of cash or by making payments on a pledge over several years.

GIFTS OF SECURITIES
& SECURITIES TRANSFERS

You may wish to consider the benefits of making a gift of securities. Some donors find that a gift of this type can provide significant tax benefits. If you would like to transfer securities in support of the campaign, or for further information, please contact us at (518) 329-0114.

MATCHING GIFTS

Many corporations sponsor Matching Gift Programs under which an employee’s charitable donation is matched with a contribution by the corporation. In this way donors can easily leverage the value of their contribution; in some cases, the matching contributions are as high as three to one.

MEMORIALS AND TRIBUTES

Ancram Center gratefully acknowledges gifts in honor or in memory of donors’ friends and loved ones. Without mentioning the amount of the contribution, acknowledgements can be sent to those honored or to the families of those being memorialized by the gift.

BEQUESTS

Donors may also choose to support Ancram Center through their will or other estate plans. Please call us at (518) 329-0114 if you would like more information. In addition to the above, gifts can also be made with annuities, remainder trusts, and real property.

Our origins are humble. What began as our co-directors’ dream to run a small theatre in rural Ancram—starting out with few resources beyond their passion and determination—has become so much more. Over six seasons, we have garnered acclaim from audiences for our fresh, innovative contemporary performances and received a Berkshire Theatre Critics’ Award and several nominations. Our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the arts is also central to our work; we have been home to nationally recognized artists such as Heather Christian, Diana Oh, Stew, and Taylor Mac as they developed new projects. To ensure that this exemplary and diverse programming can be enjoyed for years to come, priorities include:

•In survey after survey, audiences have asked for more theatre offerings. We’re thrilled with this feedback but, to achieve it, additional resources are needed as ticket sales never cover the cost of mounting a show. Funds will support expanding from two to three fully staged theatre productions each season.

• For too long, we’ve relied on artists to accept fees lower than what is considered typical compensation in our field. We want to pay our talented artists equitable wages, consistent with industry standards. We also seek to provide interns with a livable stipend so that professional development opportunities are available to all,regardless of economic circumstances.

• Ancram Center seeks to be at the forefront in the development of bold new performances for the American theatre, created by artists of diverse backgrounds. Funds will support commissioning fees to enable artists the time and space to create.

• Providing the community with an annual family offering helps to build audiences for the future. We are also committed to producing theatre that is accessible to all through tiered ticket pricing.

It Takes a Village

We highly value our interns and provide internships that lead to sustaining careers for local young adults. We have a track record of hiring former interns in professional, paid positions while others leverage their experience to obtain high-level, competitive positions in the field of theatre. Dutchess Community College regularly provides interns; their students as well as those from other schools are often unable to participate. when housing isn’t offered. The Annex accommodations will make our internship program more available for all.

Creating a Destination

Investment in Ancram Center for the Arts and our future is also an investment in the revitalization of the hamlet of Ancram, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This project embodies our belief that a vibrant, accessible, multi-purpose venue with welcoming outdoor and indoor spaces will contribute to a lively Ancram hamlet for years to come. The following steps are integral to that vision:

Come Early, Stay Late!

Our outdoor spaces and porches will allow for patrons to socialize both pre- and post-performance!

Real People Real Stories, our popular community storytelling program, supports residents in developing and sharing personal, authentic narratives. We also bring our storytelling methods to the Taconic Hills School where 4th, 5th and 6th graders are introduced to our innovative approach which complements the school’s literacy initiative. Teachers report that students who are normally insecure as writers find success in the act of telling stories. Children who may not normally speak in class, or who have challenges in reading aloud, become fully engaged in the process of telling stories.

Through this campaign, we plan to build upon the proven success of our public school program with the addition of several new community arts projects:

• The Town of Ancram is connected to two regional school systems encompassing more than a dozen individual towns spread out over hundreds of miles. Sixty percent of the students in these school systems are from low-income families. The schools often find they must cut arts programming due to budgetary constraints. We seek the capacity to bring the storytelling program to students at both Ancram school systems.

• To augment our children’s storytelling program, we wish to launch a playwriting program for students modeled after NYC’s 52nd Street Project—which will bring students and professional artists together for playmaking sessions. The program culminates in a final performance in which professional actors perform the plays the students have created.

• For adult learners, the Annex will provide space for workshops in playwriting, storytelling and more. Seniors in our rural area have been enthusiastic participants in prior workshops and have expressed interest in additional opportunities to explore creative expression and to connect with others. Offerings for adult learners will be an ongoing activity at the Ancram Center.

In 2021, Ancram Opera House produced 90 events, including productions, concerts, and workshops for approximately 1,700 individuals. Half of all events were free. We are committed to making theatre accessible to all and, to that end, offer performances for young audiences each year, always free for kids. We also partner with organizations such as the Roe Jan Library, North East Community Center and The Boys and Girls Club, providing workshops in public speaking and storytelling at no cost to these organizations.

Funds raised for the Ancram Center for the Arts are being allocated for capital expenditures and programmatic needs to enrich our offerings and ensure a sustainable future. Here is how your contribution makes all the difference:

CAPITAL PROJECTS: $750,000

The Annex

• Property acquisition

• Structural stabilization

• Exterior restoration in keeping with hamlet’s historic character

• New building envelopes including roof, windows, siding, basement waterproofing

• New interior finishes and furnishings

• All new mechanical and electrical systems

The Opera House

• Building improvements to meet code and accessibility requirements

• Conversion of current office on main floor to an accessible restroom

• Air conditioning, filtration and ventilation improvements

Ancram Center for the Arts Campus

• Parking upgrades

• Exterior improvements including covered porch

• New, improved signage

• Accessibility enhancements

PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS: $250,000

Enrichment and Sustainability

• Expand to include three theatre productions each season

• Launch of playwriting workshops for youth and adult learners

• Inclusion of an annual all-ages/family production

• Commissioning fees to support the creation of new work

• Competitive salaries for artists and interns

• Resources/reserves for continued success and stability