Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County is announcing a new initiative called Project Encore to bring the Crump Theatre back to life as a centerpiece of downtown entertainment.

Heritage Fund and building owner the Columbus Capital Foundation has commissioned project manager Steve Sanders of Stephen Sanders Consulting to lead Project Encore, turning the aging theatre into the Crump Center for the Performing Arts.

The goal is to finish revamping the theatre to make it viable for year-round live entertainment. Plans include a fully operational balcony, expanded lobby and outdoor areas, event space, state-of-the-art lighting and sound and programming for regional touring acts.

Sanders said the project is meant “to restore The Crump’s position back to the cultural community hub it was well over a century ago.”

Last year, the theater celebrated its 135th anniversary and is believed to be the oldest operational theater in the state. For years, the aging theater was closed because it didn’t meet current fire, building and safety standards. It has been brought back to life largely through volunteer efforts. Those culminated in August of 2023 when the building was found to be structurally sound and earned a renewed entertainment permit

Organizers say that renovations of historic venues can be more economical as well as more appealing to audiences.

Heritage Fund awarded a $50,000 grant, matched by private funders, to establish Project Encore. It will be established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit entity in advance of an upcoming capital campaign. Initial concept renderings will be released in the coming weeks. Those have been commissioned from two design firms and a team of graduate students.

You can get more information at www.thecrump.org.