Bantam Cinema & Arts Center Inc

PRESERVING & OPERATING THE HISTORIC BANTAM CINEMA.

PURSUANT TO THE MISSION AND PROGRAM PURPOSE OF OPERATING THE HISTORIC BANTAM CINEMA, BCAC HIRED AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN AUGUST, AND IN THE FALL A PART-TIME BOOKKEEPER FOR 8 HOURS PER WEEK, A BOX OFFICE SUPERVISOR FOR 20 HOURS PER WEEK, AND 4 BOX OFFICE ASSISTANTS WORKING IN ROTATION FOR UP TO A TOTAL OF 24 PER WEEK INCLUSIVE OF ALL ASSISTANTS. THE SINGLE LARGEST EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN THE OPERATION OF THE CINEMA IS PAYROLL EXPENSES. PURSUANT TO THE MISSION AND PROGRAM PURPOSE OF PRESERVING THE HISTORIC BANTAM CINEMA, ALL ASPECTS OF THE BUILDING'S PHYSICAL PLANT WENT THROUGH EXTENSIVE RENOVATION AND ENHANCEMENTS IN 2021. REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE INCLUDED ELECTRIC WORK, INSTALLATION OF SMOKE AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS COMPLETE WITH A CELL DIALER TO CALL UPON OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE WHEN NEEDED, REPAIRS TO PLUMBING, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR CARPENTRY AND PAINT UPGRADES AND CLEANING OF SEATING, A REDESIGNED CONCESSIONS AREA, NEW SCREEN MASKINGS, SOUND SYSTEM REPAIRS, INSTALLATION OF NEW DIGITAL PROJECTION SERVERS, AND HVAC CLEANING, REPAIRS AND UPGRADES. FUNDS WERE EARMARKED FROM THE LAUNCH CAMPAIGN. ALSO, PURSUANT TO THE MISSION AND PROGRAM PURPOSE OF OPERATING THE HISTORIC BANTAM CINEMA, BCAC OPENED ITS DOORS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE MARCH OF 2020 IN OCTOBER OF 2021. FIVE DONOR EVENTS WERE HOSTED IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, SERVING CLOSE TO 300 DONORS, AND THE FIRST PUBLIC SCREENING OCCURRED ON HALLOWEEN WEEKEND, FOLLOWED BY SEVERAL SINGLE-NIGHT SCREENINGS THROUGH NOVEMBER. AFTER THIS SOFT OPENING, THE CINEMA OPENED FULL-TIME ON DECEMBER 9TH, SCREENING EACH OF TWO FILMS 8 TIMES WEEKLY. FROM OCTOBER 16TH THROUGH THE END OF 2021 BCAC ADMITTED 796 PATRONS, SHOWED 4 "ONE-OFF" FILMS (ONE A FUNDRAISER FOR A LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION), 3 STUDIO FILMS 8 TIMES WEEKLY, AND HOSTED ONE PLAY READING. THE GREATEST EXPENSE INCURRED IN THESE EFFORTS WAS THE RENTAL FEES PAID TO FILM STUDIOS.