Indianapolis Theatre Launches Campaign to Purchase and Renovate Building: Philanthropists Make $100,000 Donation

INDIANAPOLIS - IndyFringe Executive Director Pauline Moffat announced arts supporters and philanthropists Frank and Katrina Basile have made a $100,000 contribution to kick off a $600,000 campaign to purchase and continue restoring the building IndyFringe has called home since September 2008. IndyFringe has forged an agreement to purchase the 719 East St. Clair Street building that provides a backdrop for hundreds of artistic performances every year.

“Great Expectations: Funding the Fantastic Fringe Campaign” is being co-chaired by the Basiles.

“Katrina and I see this as an opportunity to ensure the ongoing availability of an affordable and accessible space to assist IndyFringe in accomplishing its mission of attracting diverse audiences while providing performing opportunities for artists, from emerging to established,” said Frank Basile. “We feel strongly that this is the perfect venue for that purpose and the time will never be better to purchase the building.”

In recognition of the contribution, the theatre will be named the Basile Fringe Theatre. The building, which will also include IndyFringe offices, sits near the southeast corner of Massachusetts and College avenues – adjacent to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail:  A Legacy of Marilyn and Gene Glick –and is adding vibrancy to this established arts district.

The $600,000 campaign goal, which includes the purchase of the building, renovation costs and initial operating expenses, is slated to conclude by December 31, 2011. The campaign includes a grassroots effort led by the IndyFringe Creative Council, which is comprised of young professionals and others involved with various aspects of performing arts.

“We are tremendously grateful to the Basile Family for their generosity and vision. Their contribution gets us well on our way to establishing a permanent home for IndyFringe,” Moffat said.

 “Katrina and I love that the Fringe supports both emerging and established artists in dance, drama, comedy, cabaret, music, magic and multi-media. The artists write their own scripts and stage the productions themselves. The role of IndyFringe is to give them a venue to perform, and this building is key,” said Frank Basile.

Since IndyFringe moved into its current rental facility three years ago, the organization has invested in creating the best use of the space for diverse performing groups and audiences. Grants from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and Massachusetts Avenue Community Development Grant, and architectural services from Perkins Ven Deylen Architects, funded early phases of the ongoing renovation and restoration.

IndyFringe Festival – the organization’s marquis event – returns 100 percent of ticket revenue back to performers, which is a unique business model. Since the Festival began seven years ago, it has given $508,000 back to artists.

“It’s extremely rare for performers at any venue to receive 100% of ticket revenues, and it’s nearly as rare for performers to have full artistic freedom. Those two things are what really make IndyFringe unique in Indianapolis and Fringe Festivals unique in the world,” Moffat said.

For additional information on the campaign, visit the IndyFringe.org  website.