A few months ago, I wrote a piece asking if folks believed that we could use a new performance venue in Louisville (http://www.examiner.com/x-3947-Louisville-Theater-Examiner~y2009m3d26-Survey--Spaces-and-Alternative-Works). The result was a resounding YES. You will be thrilled to know that one is indeed coming together, but could use some assistance in becoming fully realized.

Back in February, just before City Block closed its doors, the Alley Theater lost its handshake agreement to perform their cabaret-style works at the venue. Discouraged, but undaunted, the board decided to turn this setback into an opportunity, and set forth to find a new venue. This was when Scott Davis, Artistic Director for Alley, sat down with Lisa Frye, President of Art Sanctuary.

Art Sanctuary, a successful, popular community-oriented arts collective, had ground to a halt simply due to Frye not having enough hands on deck to keep up with the momentum. Davis and Frye agreed that the two groups working together could be of great support to one another, and thus was born a partnership.

Shortly thereafter, Aaron Tasman of Tasman Properties got in contact with Davis about bringing the venture to their new facility at the Pointe in Butchertown. Needing a cornerstone business venture in the former factory undergoing extensive remodeling into business offices, Tasman worked out an affordable lease for the joint venture between the Alley Theater and Art Sanctuary, and construction began.

In July, their first fundraiser, A Housewarming Hullaballoo, was very successful. With over 600 people in attendance, the community showed its desire for a new venue that showcased local talent in visual and performing arts. Now all attention has turned towards the Alley’s first performance in the new space, the Louisville premiere of the offbeat musical comedy, Evil Dead: The Musical, starting in October.

At this point, you’re probably wondering why this venue needs assistance, as things seem to be coming together nicely?

The main concern at this point is getting the funds to finish construction before opening. The huge expense – the air conditioning equipment – is going to take more money than the Alley and Art Sanctuary currently holds. Other renovations still need to be completed as well, such as electrical work, architectural designs, the building of the bar and risers, and various licenses.

When the facility is complete, it will become a new, affordable location for other performing artists and theatre groups to showcase their talent to Louisville. Considering the extraordinary amount of companies vying for so few places to perform, this is critical for the city to secure it’s future as a premiere location for the arts in the region.

Donating to the cause is now incredibly simple! You can send money via PayPal at Art Sanctuary’s networking site: http://artsanctuary.ning.com. You can also send checks to P.O. Box 4873, Louisville, KY 40204. Both Alley Theater and Art Sanctuary are 501(c)3 non-profits, so any donations are tax deductible.

To keep up on the progress of the new venue at the Pointe, or to see other ways you can help, become a Facebook friend of Art Sanctuary here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=15777591799

If you’ve donated or plan to, please use the Comments section below to explain why you felt it was important to give, or even to give words of encouragement or support!