Philly.com: A little semiprofessional theater amid the farmland of Hammonton, N.J., has become the beneficiary of more than a half-million dollars in grants and low-interest loans from a most unlikely arts angel: the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Eagle Theatre, in the center of what's known as the blueberry capital of the world, is wasting no time spending that money - its backstage area is filling with building materials and spiffy, soon-to-be-installed sound and lighting equipment, and construction has begun on a lounge-cum-wine bar for its patrons.
3 comments:
This is great. The stereotype that exists in our country about rural areas, such as this town in New Jersey, is that rural inhabitants are only concerned with farming and are "hicks." While in some cases this may be true, it does not mean that citizens who live a rural life do not have desires to take part in the arts, whether as a performer, designer, director, painter, or simply an audience member. It is unusual for the USDA to grant money to a theatre company but, when you think about it, it makes sense. By giving money to the Eagle Theatre Company, the USDA is supporting a venue which will benefit the blueberry farmers in New Jersey by providing them with entertainment. I hope that the changes made within the Eagle Theatre Company are positive, and the USDA will hopefully continue to support the arts in the future.
This is awesome! I'm happy to see that the theater is devoting some money to equipment & upgrades and technology. But it's awesome that the theater is investing a majority of its money in assets--it's mortgage and a wine bar. These are revenue generating. I think it's great that the USDA is granting and loaning money to such establishments. It cultivates growth in many disciplines, and not just artistry.
This is amazing that this funding still exist and companies are able to get it and use it. The thing that I did not know was that the USDA where the ones that do art finding for groups. I wonder how well these companies do once they have to start to pay this money back or do they get to a point that they can't and what does the government do. I am glade that the groups that they are giving money to are not in major areas where the arts are easy to get to and this is another one to compete for the business. I hope that this theater company dose great and thrives and makes a ton on new theater goers and get to go to show in the bigger cites.
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