On Monday, November 20, Greenport Theatre owner Josh Sapan signed the closing documents that will officially “gift” the historic theater to the newly formed North Fork Arts Center, a non-profit, in perpetuity.
NFAC Founder and Executive Director Tony Spiridakis signed the contract on behalf of the non-profit, which marks the end of an 11-month fundraising journey by volunteers and board members, as well as the community.
From January to November, over $1 million in donations came pouring in from nearly 600 individuals. Each donor will be honored on a “Founding Members Wall” inside the theater (everyone has until midnight December 31st to make a donation and become an NFAC Founder.)
Tony Spiridakis expressed his excitement, “This is a dream come true for our community, and the legacy of this incredible gift will live on for generations. The theater will be renamed the Sapan Greenport Theatre to acknowledge the generosity of this monumental gift. Adding arts, entertainment, and education all year round will not only enrich the entire North Fork community but will also provide a significant boost to the local economy, particularly in those quieter shoulder months.”
As a gesture of gratitude, the North Fork Arts Center is hosting three free holiday screenings as a way of saying “thank you” to the community.
On December 28 and 29, at 7 PM the film “Elf” will screen, followed by a Q&A with special guest Producer Todd Komarnicki (writer of “Sully”) on both nights. On December 30, at 7 PM, “It’s A Wonderful Life” will screen.
Following the holiday screenings, the theater will temporarily close its doors to undertake renovations. The grand reopening of North Fork Arts Center at the Sapan Greenport Theatre is tentatively scheduled for Spring 2024. Visit northfork-artscenter.org to learn more.