The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

There’s something new about Little Art theatre

Ohio’s abundance of water parks makes it easy to melt away your cares
5/25/12
Taste of Cincinnati expected to draw 500,000 people
5/24/12
How discount program is helping arts, patrons
5/22/12
Local ingredients key for bartender
5/16/12
Health clubs giving lifestyle campaign a rigorous workout
5/16/12
> More headlines

By Alexis Larsen, Staff Writer 7:49 PM Thursday, October 29, 2009

The Little Art Theatre in Yellow Springs may look exactly the same as it did last month, but one major change has occurred that you won’t see just by looking at it. The theater, which has been showing films for more than 80 years, has become a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.

Jenny Cowperthwaite, who purchased the theater in 1998, will become the executive director, with the theater owned and governed by the Board of Directors of the Little Art Theatre Association.

“I decided I needed to do this for the Little Art ... because I believe this is the best for the theater and the community in perpetuity,” Cowperthwaite said.

Cowperthwaite was inspired to make a change after meeting with Charlie Humphrey, executive director of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, who came on board as a consultant to the theater.

“Although the Little Art is a for-profit venture, it functions very much as if it were a not-for-profit organization ... programming seems motivated more by mission than revenue. Residents of the village value the Little Art as a significant cultural asset,” Humphrey said.

The Little Art board said it is committed to continuing the great independent programming we’ve all come to expect from the little theatre that could while exploring additional programming and events for seniors and young adults.

The theater currently has a free film series aimed at kids called “Saturday’s Picture Show.” “Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 21 and “Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian” will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 12.

The theater also has a brunch and a movie special ($15 per person at the Winds Cafe every Sunday) and a dinner and a movie special ($20 per person at the Sunrise Cafe every Monday night).

The theater will celebrate its new status with a free movie weekend this weekend. A free showing of Ang Lee’s “Taking Woodstock” will be at 7 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. Oct. 30, 4:15 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. Oct. 31 and 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1. The film is Rated R.

For more information about the Little Art, including membership, donations or any of the current programming, visit www.LittleArt.com or call (937) 767-7671.

Share this article