Impact Statement for   Stephanie Richards

Planning Unit	195 - Pike County
Area	312 - Northeast
Reporting Year	2006
Last Updated	8/6/2006 6:05:48 PM
CMAP	1808 - COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PAC	300 - Leadership, Civic Engagement, and Economic Development
Title	ACT Builds Theatre Home in Elkhorn City

Impact Statement

Artists Collaborative Theatre, Inc. has completed two seasons and is being supported by this small rural community of southern Pike County. Entering its third season, ACT is the hope for a new economy and hope for the people. In order to advance this rural arts program, ACT needed a place to play and create.

The Board of Directors for ACT has worked to construct a 120 seat, 5,000 square feet, black box theatre, to serve the small rural community of Elkhorn City. This art venue will serve artists and audiences of all ages and skill levels via live productions in their own community.

ACT has built a community ensemble of 130 artists, who dedicate themselves to creating quality theatre during the regular season of 4-5 productions per year. They are dedicated to quality programming, high level discipline, skills, and committment to excellence. The Board of Directors took out an initial $150,000.00 loan to purchase property and begin construction. Through the support of legislators Representative W. Ketih Hall, Senator Ray S. Jones, Magistrate Leo Murphy and the Pike County Fiscal Court, ACT received $100,000.00 from Coal Severance Tax in 2005. ACT is on line to receive monies in 2006 to complete the project. Regular monthly expenses are being addressed through ongoing fundraisers and community programming such as plays, classes, auctions and roadblocks,. thus, allowing the community to have ownership in the project as well.

The result is a new born community of hope. There is community hub that is built on positive activity for all ages. ACT is projected to have $70,000.00 budget in its first year in the new building. Elkhorn City is seeing business growth spurred through the belief in the coming arts impact. Business projects that grow inline with an arts community are in development. All various subgroups of the community agree and find common ground through this non-political and all inclusive arts company.