Academy of Fine Arts updates

The Academy of Fine Arts, which has programs that allow individuals to excel in the areas of performing and visual arts, is currently working toward restoring the historic theater that has been closed since 1958.

Formerly owned by Liberty University, the school never met their goal of restoring the historic theater. The ultimate goal of the Academy is to reach its $16.6 million fundraising goal.

The Academy of Fine Arts, located in historic downtown Lynchburg, provides Liberty students and Central Virginia residents of all ages the opportunity to put their artistic abilities to good use. In April of 2013, Liberty University responded to the Academy’s fundraiser campaign by matching a $500,000 gift from the Lynchburg community going toward the theater’s restoration efforts.

“Having gone to Liberty and (being) an alumna, it is so exciting to get to see the growth that is taking place at the Academy of Fine Arts that is due, along with various other generous donors, to Liberty’s generous contribution that got our fundraising campaign off the ground,” Tanya Fischoff, marketing director of the academy, said.

According to Fischoff, the goal of the Academy of Fine Arts is to captivate, entertain and strengthen the community through the various arts, while educating participants to become better in their chosen craft.

“We are excited about the progress made so far in our fundraising campaign,” David Jenkins, executive director of the Academy said. “We are so thankful for Liberty’s support and look forward to a long and prosperous partnership.”

As of August of 2014, the Academy passed the $4 million mark in its fundraising efforts. According to Fischoff, September 2014 marked the month that the Academy announced it had completed construction on its vintage academy marquee that is displayed on the front of the building. The marquee, funded thanks to efforts from Lynch’s Landing and Virginia Main Streets, was initially designed in February 2014, with visual elements of the canopy completed within the next month. The project sought to replicate the building’s original marquee dating back to the mid 1940s.

“We are working to restore the theater in phases, or what we call scenes, so that we can be the best stewards of the funds that we receive while reaching our ultimate goal of the $16.6 million,” said Fischoff said.
As the Academy moves toward its $4.5 million mark in funds, construction is set to begin in the near future on renovations inside the auditorium, which has not been touched in over 70 years.

“People always ask why it is going to cost so much to restore the theater, but it’s simple,” Fischoff said. “We want to make sure that the restoration of the theatre is historically accurate in every way. There is such detail and precision to the theatre and its design, and we can’t wait until it is restored and back in use again.”

For more information on the Academy of Fine Arts or for information on the theater restoration, visit academyfinearts.com.

Jones is a news reporter.

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