CAMPAIGN FOR

MEETINGHOUSE

ARTS

Meetinghouse Arts will serve as a cultural anchor of Freeport’s

downtown. Once funding is raised and renovations are completed, the

cultural center will provide performance and presentation opportunities

for local and state-wide artists and organizations, establish gallery space

to exhibit and experience visual art and educational exhibits, and create

economic vitality in Greater Freeport.

Arts & Cultural

Alliance of Freeport

MEETINGHOUSE ARTS: RENOVATIONS NEEDED + USES

Meetinghouse Arts will include a performance/presentation venue in the existing sanctuary space, with approximately 200

seats, a green room, and professional grade lighting and audio fixtures; plus an adjacent gallery/exhibit space, comprising

a large flexible display area for visual art and/or educational displays, which can also be used for meetings and

workshops.

The existing space within First Parish Church brings many attractive features, including stunning architecture, ideal

acoustics, and ample seating. However, to make the venue suitable for a wide variety of cultural uses, construction plans

include remodeling the gallery space, constructing a stage and wings, installing professional lighting and audio systems,

and creating window coverings that will block light and sound while still allowing access to the historic stained glass

panels. Construction will also include upgrading access to bathrooms, installing ADA-accessible ramps, and improving

egress to and from the building, both for audience members and production crews.

BUILDING UPDATES

Construction needed for modernization and

to allow sharing of space

ADA-accessible bathroom(s)

Increased building security

Improved egress / entrance to the building

Ramp construction / ADA accessibility

GALLERY

Flexible gallery space for visual art and

displays

Wall reconfiguration

Lighting system

Cosmetic updates

Art hanging fixtures

Community art showcases

Student art shows

Professionally curated art exhibitions

Educational and/or historical displays

Events, workshops, gatherings

SPACE

PERFORMANCE HALL

~200 seat capacity with professional

lighting and sound equipment

PRIMARY RENOVATIONS

Stage construction

Lighting equipment

Audio system

Window coverings

Green room construction

EXAMPLE USES

Freeport Players

Greater Freeport Community Chorus

Regional touring acts

Lectures and author talks

School performances

MEETINGHOUSE ARTS: PICTURE THIS

MEETINGHOUSE ARTS EXTERIOR

Picture the historic building at 40 Main Street as a hub for arts, culture, and community events in

Downtown Freeport. New external signage, encompassing both the Meetinghouse Arts and First Parish

Church, combined with the central location, will make the center a highly visible destination for residents

and visitors alike.

Photography credit Dennis Landis

MEETINGHOUSE ARTS: PICTURE THIS

GALLERY

Cosmetic updates, track lighting, and

subtle reconfigurations of existing

walls allow for wall and floor-anchored

artwork and displays.

Preliminary artist concept drawings; not finalized architectural renderings

Artist credit Nora Tyron

PERFORMANCE HALL

A mid-sized presentation venue for

live music, theater, lectures, author

readings, and more. Versatile staging

and drapery allow use for church

services and performances on the

same day.

ONE VENUE | MANY USES

Meetinghouse Arts will be a multi-use, multi-user arts and cultural center in the heart of downtown Freeport that will be

affordable to rent and provide the types of spaces the town currently lacks. It will bring arts and cultural activity to Main Street

to engage residents and visitors and will be a key component in the Town’s effort to diversify and re-energize the downtown.

COMMUNITY VENUE FOR LOCAL ARTISTS AND GROUPS

Meetinghouse Arts will offer much-needed performance space for community

groups and local artists:

175-seat performance venue for local theater and musical groups to rent,

including lighting and sound equipment

Exhibit space available for use by local artist cooperatives, historical and heritage

organizations, and for ACAF-sponsored exhibitions, providing a much-needed

platform for local artists to show and sell work

Projector, screen, sound system, and ideal acoustics and setting for lectures,

presentations, author talks, etc. that require more seating than currently

available venues

Downtown location on Main Street brings the plethora of local art and culture

into the public domain

TOURING VENUE FOR REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ARTISTS

As a sought-after mid-sized venue, Meetinghouse Arts will be a desirable stop for regional and national acts touring New

England. The unique, historic building and ideal acoustics will complement the professional fixtures and equipment,

establishing Freeport as a cultural destination in Southern Maine.

SPACE FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

With strong community feedback, the Freeport Cultural Plan identifies a clear priority

to create and strengthen opportunities for our region’s youth. Meetinghouse Arts will:

Create opportunities to connect working artists with Freeport’s youth via

workshops and talks

Present student artwork in a gallery setting and house student performances

Offer youth the opportunity to speak about their work and engage with spectators

outside of a school setting

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZAT ION

Meetinghouse Arts enriches Main Street, downtown Freeport, and the region by:

Distinguishing Freeport for the rich layer of opportunities and experiences available

here

Broadening Freeport’s appeal to both potential residents and visitors

Connecting the community with its local talent

Supporting the local tax base by contributing to a vibrant downtown desirable to

business and cultural investment

Attracting tourism dollars to existing local businesses, e.g. restaurants, retail, and

hotels

“FREEPORT IS LOADED WITH

ARTS AND ARTISTS. ART IS ALL

AROUND US. THE ARTS CENTER

WILL BRING THE ARTS HOME TO

A DOWNTOWN LOCATION

ACCESSIBLE TO THE MAKERS

AND CREATORS OF ART, THE

STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF

ART, AND TO ALL THE VISITORS

AND ALL OUR RESIDENTS FOR

WHOM THE CREATIVE ARTS

OFFER A PATHWAY TO A BETTER

QUALITY OF LIFE.

THE ARTS CENTER ISN’T JUST

FOR ARTISTS, IT’S FOR ALL OF

US, AND THAT’S WHY AS ONE

MEMBER OF THE TOWN COUNCIL

I WANT THIS CAMPAIGN TO

SUCCEED.’

Tawni Whitney

Town Councilor At Large,

Town of Freeport

“THE DEVELOPMENT OF

AN ARTS AND CULTURAL VENUE

RIGHT ON MAIN STREET IS AN

IMPORTANT STEP IN ENHANCING THE

EXPERIENTIAL NATURE OF OUR

DOWNTOWN, WHICH IS A CRITICAL

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOAL

FOR FREEPORT.”

Keith McBride

Executive Director,

Freeport Economic Development Corporation

THE COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN

ACAF needs your help to complete a $400,000 comprehensive campaign to fund the construction and renovations needed in

First Parish Church, and to fund the first year of operating and programming expenses to create a vibrant Meetinghouse Arts.

Town of Freeport TIF

$133,000

Private Donors

$150,000

Business Community

$150,000

Community Fundraising

$50,000

Grants$50,000

CAMPAIGN SOURCES

Meetinghouse Arts

Construction$395,000

Staffing and Operating

Costs$123,000

Programming Costs

$15,000

USE OF FUNDS

A “comprehensive” campaign raises

funds needed not only for construction

(“capital”) costs, but also for the

organization’s operating and

programming budget.

These include expenses such as a staff

person’s salary, utilities like heat and

snow removal, and costs of ACAF

programs such as printing and

advertising, instructor wages, and

performance booking fees.

ACAF is raising $400,000 for a

comprehensive campaign to ensure

that investment in Meetinghouse Arts

doesn’t end when construction

finishes. The comprehensive campaign

funds the first year of operating costs

to create a vibrant—and sustainable—

Meetinghouse Arts.

WHAT IS A

COMPREHENSIVE

CAMPAIGN?

GENESIS OF MEETINGHOUSE ARTS

2015

THE ARTS & CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF FREEPORT

(ACAF) IS INCORPORATED AS A 501c(3) NON-

PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH THE MISSION TO

PROMOTE LOCAL ARTS AND CULTURAL

ACTIVITIES, ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO

ENGAGE IN ARTS AND CULTURE IN DAILY LIFE,

AND TO PROVIDE COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIES

TO MEET THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS OF ARTISTS

AND CULTURAL GROUPS

2018

ACAF AND REINHOLDT CONSULTING RELEASE

THE FREEPORT CULTURAL PLAN, FOLLOWING AN

18 MONTH PLANNING PROCESS (FUNDING FOR

THE CULTURAL PLAN IS SECURED THROUGH

PRIVATE FUNDRAISING BY ACAF AND A GRANT

FROM THE TOWN OF FREEPORT)

ACAF HIRES ITS FIRST STAFF MEMBER, A

COORDINATING DIRECTOR, TO MOVE THE

CULTURAL PLAN FORWARD

DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN ACAF AND FIRST PARISH

CHURCH RESUME

2016

ACAF AND LEADERSHIP OF FIRST PARISH CHURCH

HOLD PRELIMENARY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT A

SHARED USE OF SPACE IN THE HISTORIC

SANCTUARY

2019

ACAF AND FIRST PARISH CHURCH ESTABLISH

TERMS FOR A LONG-TERM LEASE OF THE

CHURCH’S MAIN FLOOR, TO BE RENOVATED BY

ACAF INTO A MULTI-USE CULTURAL CENTER

THE AGREEMENT ALLOWS FOR CONTINUED USE

OF THE SANCTUARY BY FPC’S CONGREGATION

FOR WEEKLY SERVICES AND HOLIDAYS

THE TOWN OF FREEPORT AWARDS A CAPITAL

GRANT OF $133,000 TO ACAF TO KICKSTART

FUNDING FOR THE CULTURAL CENTER

2017

ACAF EXPLORES FEASIBILITY OF PURCHASING

BUILDING AT 31 MAIN STREET AND CONVERTING

INTO AN ARTS CENTER

ACAF RAISES FUNDS TO PURCHASE OPTION ON

BUILDING BUT DETERMINES THAT FINAL PROJECT

WOULD BE TOO COSTLY AND NOT MEET THE

COMMUNITY’S NEEDS

FUNDING IS REDIRECTED TOWARD A CULTURAL

PLANNING PROCESS

THE MOMENT TO DEFINE FREEPORT IS NOW

The Campaign for Meetinghouse Arts presents a

significant opportunity for our community. Freeport’s

economic vitality depends on creating experiences that extend and enhance visits to our downtown; providing

community benefits to engage our year-round residents;

and strengthening the municipal tax base to maintain the

high level of services and education that Freeport

provides. Meetinghouse Arts is a single project that will

bolster the region’s tourism, community resources, and

real estate value. Both the Town of Freeport and the

Freeport Economic Development Corporation have

identified arts and culture as a key strategic focus for the Town’s future economic success. The Arts & Cultural

Alliance of Freeport is poised to create this cultural hub in

the First Parish Church, a historic gem on Main Street.

We cannot complete this community project without the

broad support of our neighbors. Meetinghouse Arts will

serve our residents and newcomers with educational

programming, valuable space for community groups,

artistic opportunities presented by regional touring acts,

and a venue to experience local artwork. We invite the

greater Freeport community to invest now and become

part of this exciting initiative to make Freeport a cultural destination in Southern Maine.

Support Meetinghouse Arts today!

I believe that Freeport currently

faces a crucial moment in its

development. The reputation we

have as a shopping destination

is losing its appeal due to the

change in purchasing habits

brought on by the digital

economy. The main factor

influencing folks’ travel decisions

is now the appeal of the

experience they will enjoy while

visiting.

To remain vital as a community,

Freeport must enhance and

improve its experiential

components. Festivals and

events, outdoor activities like the

L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery

Schools or Wolf's Neck Center’s

educational demonstrations,

themed activities for the "cold

weather" such as Thos. Moser's

furniture building workshop or

the annual fiber retreat… and

cultural activities.

Meetinghouse Arts will address

a big void in Freeport's menu of

experiential offerings. Concerts,

plays, art shows and workshops,

literary events; an endless list of

experiences that enrich both the

visitors’ and the residents’ lives

when they are in Freeport.

Chip Gray

Harraseeket Inn