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Will Boardman’s Art Theater close its doors?
Art for sale
4:00 am Aug 7 - by Tim Peters – buzz Writer
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27 Dresses
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4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (4 luni, 3 saptamini si 2 zile)
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Boardman's Art Theater »Address: 126 W. Church Street Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 355-0068
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Downtown Champaign may be losing its independent art theater.
Boardman’s Art Theater has been under the ownership of David Kraft since 2001, and operated by Greg Boardman since 2003.
In a recent email, Kraft broke the news that the Art’s future was in jeopardy. “Boardman has stated that he is not interested in renting beyond December 2009 — the end of the lease — so I am advertising the theater for rent in an attempt to secure its continuing operation.”
”If no credible, experienced, and financially-stable individual or entity signs a lease to rent/operate the theater by the time Boardman’s lease ends, then there will be no theater and I will have to consider all options,” he continued.
The theater has transformed and changed hands several times in the past. In 1913 it opened as The Park Theater, showing silent films until 1929. New owners revamped the theater in the 30s, but The Park couldn’t compete with TV and closed in 1958.
Months later it was bought and became part of the Art Theater Guild and was renamed The Art Theater. The programming switched to adult films in the 70s, before being reacquired in 1987 and turned into an art house, once more.
Kraft is dedicated to theater restoration, and has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Art. He has been awarded for remodeling — along with his sister and her husband — the Princess Theater in LeRoy.
Kraft said he is open to an institution like the University or the City of Champaign taking over the Art. “If there is an individual or entity that can afford to lease the space to the current operator at a below-market rent, and selling the building is the best way that I can help to “save” the Art, then...”
Roger Ebert was an Art regular during his teens, writing in an Entertainment Weekly article, “I remember those movies at the Art so vividly ... The notion that in a movie you had never heard of you could discover truths you had never dreamed.”
If no one saves the Art, it will be another dead cinema, along with the Orpheum, the Rialto, the Illini, the Thunderbird, the Cinema, the Campus Film Society and Cinema Internationale, among others.
If the Art goes under, it's more trips to the corporate theatre chains. Instead of walking or taking a bike ride to the movies, it’s driving. Instead of Four Months, Three Weeks, and Two Days, it’s 27 Dresses.
Sound Off
Last post: Aug. 12, 2008 at 10:13 am
Greg (Greg Boardman) said on Aug. 8, 2008 at 3:21 am:
A point of clarification to my many friends, and supporters of Boardman's Art Theatre:
This is at least the second article which implies that I simply have no interest in continuing to operate Boardman's Art Theatre.
It is not the case that I am not interested in renting beyond December, 2009.
I stated to Mr. Kraft that I was not interested in renting beyond December, 2009 at 2.22 times what I am currently paying.
Mr. Kraft desires, and currently has in me, a "credible, experienced, and financially stable individual" renting and operating the theatre. I currently pay 50% more than the previous tenant paid, and I have not missed a payment in over five years. I have invested more than a hundred thousand dollars in remaking the Art Theatre into the finest theatre in Champaign. I was surprised and disappointed to be forced out economically, after all I have done for the Art, and have invested in it.
I don't think it requires selling the building to "save the Art", if that is truly the goal.
But I hope something can be worked out, one way or another.
Meanwhile, I have a great line-up of films coming soon, and the Asian Film Festival and the French Film Festival, both in October. We're not going away anytime soon! Thank you for supporting and enjoying Boardman's Art Theatre!
Jeff Brandt (Jeff Brandt) said on Aug. 11, 2008 at 8:00 pm:
Thanks for the clarification. Hopefully Mr. Kraft will reconsider and lower his selling price.
lukeslens (Luke Boyce) said on Aug. 12, 2008 at 10:13 am:
This seriously has me depressed. The Art theater is my favorite theater in town and is one of the few things that makes Champaign so great. I will certainly be extremely upset if something isn't worked out.
I believe Greg is justified in his possible decision. Mr. Kraft needs to seriously reconsider his pricing. I just hope that somebody can really call him out on it so that the rest of us don't have to suffer.
Jeff Brandt (Jeff Brandt) said on Aug. 7, 2008 at 5:00 am:
This is a troubling state of affairs . . . At least I'll be graduated and probably gone months before December 09 and hopefully living in a city where I can see the types of movies Boardman's would play. But still. It's not fair that the student body of U of I won't be able to enjoy the option of watching brilliant art films at Boardman's in the future.
Here's to hoping Mr. Ebert will buy it, move back to Champaign, and hang out there every day.