While the health of independently-owned movie houses is uncertain, many of these theatres are weighing changing their status from a private business to a non-profit to stay alive. The New York Times reported on this phenomenon by examining the case of the Triplex Cinema in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
For more than 30 years, this four-screen cinema has been an anchor for this small town in the Berkshires. However, two years ago longtime owner Richard Stanley decided that he needed to call it quits due to the challenging environment for these independent businesses. Motivated members of the Great Barrington community rallied to create a non-profit named “Save the Triplex.”
They were successful in raising money to buy the theatre from Stanley and reopened it one year later. The theatre now operates with its board of directors and part-time and volunteer crew. With all four auditoriums needing renovations, the Triplex is looking for donations and additional financial support from the community, something that the non-profit structure is better suited to accomplish.
Across the U.S., roughly 250 movie theatres operate as non-profits. A key to their success is to be led by a team that has a love of film and a vision for their theatre’s place in the community. Residents will often see their local theatre as an asset to the neighborhood.
The Belcourt Theatre in Nashville is one such example. Having operated as a non-profit for years, they play a blend of current releases and retro titles. A recent screening of the 1973 classic BADLANDS directed by Terrence Malick and starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek brought in “150-200” people, according to Executive Directory Stephanie Silverman.
The non-profit structure helps donations come more easily because of tax benefits for those who donate. It’s a model that has allowed many independent locations like Belcourt and Triplex to remain open when they would otherwise close.
