WHO?
The New England Center for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) not-for profit cultural organization.
WHAT?
Development of a 60,000 square foot state-of-the-art performing arts complex.
WHERE?
A pastoral 13 acre site on Route 140 in Franklin; one mile from Route 495 at exit 17 and within a half mile from the Forge Park Commuter Rail Station.
WHEN?
The quiet phase of the capital campaign continues while the design phase and permitting is underway. We plan to break ground in 2011.
WHY?
To meet the needs of everyone who embraces and supports the arts and culture in our region.
As detailed below, this project is poised for success following many years of research, contemplation, discovery, and persistence. With the professional assistance and expertise of many nationally acclaimed consultants, the guidance of our Board and the efforts of countless volunteers, this project is ready to be brought to fruition.
2001
January - Dulcie Gilmore Associates in association with Janice A. Barlow & Associates and Killis P. Almond & Associates contracted by the Franklin Performing Arts Company to conduct theater feasibility study considering Zeotrope Theater in downtown Franklin.
June – Feasibility study presented; Zeotrope site dismissed. Favorable scenario identified for a regional performing arts center to be developed in the Town of Franklin.
August – Initial funding for pre-development expenses obtained from Massachusetts Non-Profit Finance Fund, grant sources, and local businesses and individuals, with matching funds from Mass Development. New downtown site identified at former Franklin Furniture property.
October – Fundraising assessment conducted by Genovese & Vanderhoof Associates of Toronto.
November – First draft of the architect’s conceptual plan for a downtown performing arts center is delivered to the FPAC theater committee by Killis Almond.
December – New England Center for the Performing Arts name is registered with Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
2002
January – Conceptual plans are presented to the Franklin Planning Board by the New England Center for the Performing Arts representatives in conjunction with Killis Almond. Board gives initial support to the project. Plans presented to Dean College.
February – Dulcie Gilmore presents draft business plan for downtown project to the FPAC community for review.
April – Sponsorship marketing meetings held with consultant, Hugh Wakeham. Campaign Steering Committee begins to take shape. Additional meetings take place with representatives of the Town of Franklin and the State of Massachusetts.
June – Initial Campaign Steering Committee meeting is held.
September – Details of the acquisition of the Franklin Furniture property are finalized. Friends of the New England Center for the Performing Arts Realty Trust is organized.
October – Business plan and capital campaign plan are presented to the Campaign Steering Committee. The Franklin Furniture property is acquired.
November – Regular Campaign Steering Committee meetings continue.
2003
January – Community reception held to present conceptual plans.
February – Development of the core donor prospect list begins.
2004
January through November – The Board of Directors for New England Center for the Performing Arts is developed.
October – New England Center for the Performing Arts receives approval from the IRS to function as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt entity.
November – The first board meeting of the New England Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is held.
2005
January – Janice Thompson hired as part-time Director of Development.
March – Board makes decision to move project from downtown to green space.
June – Right of first refusal is executed on property abutting Route 495 in Franklin.
August – Franklin Furniture building is sold.
September – The Town of Franklin receives $5.0M in funding under the National Transportation Bill, an award received primarily due to the work of the New England Center for the Performing Art’s consultant Dean Martilli.
October through December – Site assessment conducted and conceptual planning begun on 495 site under consideration.
2006
January through June – Business plan and case updated; Board training conducted; Campaign Steering Committee further developed.
July – Donna Egan joins Board of Directors; operating funds pledged.
August through November – New promotional and marketing brochure for project developed; prospect research continued.
December – New business model considered to fold the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) and the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) into the New England Center for the Performing Arts non-profit organization.
2007
January through June – Board and Campaign Steering Committee continue development of prospect list and case.
July through October – New sites researched; negotiations for new site underway.
November – Fathom of Hartford, CT contracted for website development and marketing strategy.
December – 13-acre site on Route 140 selected and secured under agreement; architects and project manager interviews conducted.
2008
January – Full-time marketing position filled; interim operations and fundraising consultant contracted; “Imagine” cocktail party for friends of the New England Center for the Performing Arts held at which plans are discussed and new brand and logo unveiled.
February – Information session held for FSPA at FPAC community; Wilson Butler Architects contracted to design facility; Daedalus Project Management firm contracted for project.
March – Architect conducts focus groups including students, parents, faculty, and staff for input on facility design.
April – Meetings held to reconnect project with fundraising counsel, Dory Vanderhoof and sponsorship consultant, Hugh Wakeham.
May – Full-time capital campaign manager hired; first annual New England Center for the Performing Arts Spring Gala is held and raises more than $220,000.
June – College interns, including FSPA alumni, contracted for summer research and fundraising projects.
July – Project Informational Package completed.
August – Schematic design phase continues with Wilson Butler Architects.
October – Advancement Department staffed and organized; First Annual Fall Family Festival held on the grounds of the future new facility.
November - Leadership level foundation grant application process begins; Benjamin Franklin Bank Reception hosted.
December – Grant of $25K from Brainshark Inc., is secured for license fee of their Brainshark video-on-demand software that allows us to both train our fundraising volunteers and develop effective “touches and asks” of our constituency.