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What's the Difference?
In 2015, as we contemplated how we were going to approach our members and patrons to ask you to include the Cinema Arts Centre in your year-end giving, we decided to ask and answer the question, What's the Difference? Specifically, what's the difference between seeing a movie at home and seeing a movie in our independent community cinema and home-away-from-home? We launched a podcast where we asked many people that question. Our interviews included an amazing conversation with our Co-Founder Charlotte Sky, and many other conversations that can be found HERE.
When we asked Char to talk about the difference between seeing a movie at the Cinema Arts Centre and seeing a movie at home or anywhere else, Char spoke about the heart of why and how the Cinema Arts Centre was founded in 1973. She said that the founding idea was not only to make sure there was access to film outside of the mainstream but to build a community around film. She said, "We hoped [people] would really respond, but we also felt that it was a way for people to come together who were like-minded who had similar interests in film and could enjoy not only their company and the discussions that followed the film but they could um find ways to interact with each other and that was a very important part of it, that the cinema's connection became really with the community."
Char was talking about creating a third place - a term that would not be coined until 1989 by sociologist Ray Oldenbur. Put simply, a third place is a space where people can connect with their community and build relationships outside of work and home.
We keep our basic membership prices, and ticket pricing for members as low as possible. Our cafe and garden are available to the public regardless of ability to make a purchase. Our gallery space is free to visit. We are truly a community center.
Thinking about how important our role in creating community connections was at our founding and is to this day, Char went on to say, "I think that was the ultimate aim of it. We really didn't think so much of the money part."
However, "the money part" also makes a difference. We spend 81% of every dollar we earn or raise on direct program expenses, delivering robust and diverse program options to Long Island and creating a welcoming environment for everyone. We spend only 19% of every dollar on all overhead, administration, and fundraising (according to our most recent independent audit.) With a very small staff, we are running things as tightly as they can be run. Our focus is to deliver our programs, deliver our mission, and fill needs in our community - artistic, social, educational, and economic needs. Our impact enhances quality of life in all of these areas. But without "the money part," it can't be done.
This leads to another "what's the difference" question: What's the difference between buying a membership and making an annual gift?
The Cinema has a diverse revenue pie, which is important to our health. We earn a significant portion of the funds we need to deliver our programs through ticket sales, cafe sales, advertising, and rentals. We also raise funds through foundation grants, government grants, corporate and business sponsorships, and contributions from individuals.
There are two ways individuals can support us each year. Once is by joining, renewing, or upgrading membership. Membership is a purchase that comes with many valuable benefits, including free tickets, discounted tickets, and members-only opportunities. See all the benefits HERE. Membership revenue is so important to the Cinema because unlike ticket revenue which is split with film distributors, 100% of membership revenue can be re-invested in our programs and operations.
The other important way that individuals can support the Cinema each year is by making a fully philanthropic, fully tax-deductible, contribution to our annual fund, the Vic Skolnick Life of Our Cinema Campaign. Named for our co-founder upon his passing in 2010, the Life of Our Cinema Campaign is an opportunity for our community to act on their values and ensure that the Cinema thrives as a third place for thousands of Long Islanders by bringing people together around the power of film and making a difference in our local economy, in hearts and minds, and in our lives.
This year, we must raise $210,000 in order to fully fund our mission. But we are many! Each doing what we can, we will make our goal. Please CLICK HERE to support our campaign and make a difference in our community this year.
THANK YOU!
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