History
editOpening day
editHere I will talk about the history of the Art Theater beginning with the opening day.
New Owner
editI will then talk about the 1930s when the Art Theater received a new owner.
New Name
editThen I will talk about how the Art Theater switched its name from the Park Theater to the Art Theater in 1958.
Adult Theater
editFollowing that, I will talk about how the Art Theater became an adult theater in 1971 for a short period of time. Following that I will talk about the shift from an adult theater back to an art theater in 1983.
Present Day
editI will then give information from that point to the present day.
Architecture
editIn this section I will go over the building architecture. I will mention the theater size, size of the building, size of the screen, how many seats it holds, the size of the lobby, what the sign looks like, etc.
Closing
editThe Art Theater has been in danger of shutting down since the new millennium. With help from local historians and prominent film critic Roger Ebert, the theater is still running. I will mention in this section other old theaters that have been in Champaign. All have been closed (he Crescent Theatre, the Crystal Theatre, the Lyric Theatre, the Varsity Theatre, the Walker Opera House, the Neil Theatre, the Orpheum Theatre, Theatre Belvoir (later known as The Rialto), and the Virginia Theatre). The Art Theater and the Virginia Theatre are the only single screened theaters still operating in Champaign. While the Art theater is open daily, the Virginia theater is only open on specific days for a few short hours. It is the site of Roger Ebert's film festival held each year.
Green Program
editStarting in 2010, the Art Theater has implemented multiple green programs. This includes recycling plastic cups, serving popcorn in bags made from recycled paper, using cups made from corn, recycling bins by all exits, and they buy pastries from a local baker.
Sources
editThe Art Theater History.[1] Boardman's Art Theater.[2] Cinema Treasures.[3] Kraft Properties. [4] Smile Politely. [5]