Performing arts center hinges on foundation grant

After-school activities for Bigfork students may expand this fall, pending a decision by a Washington-based foundation.

The Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre hopes to create an after-school performing arts center in the old Flathead Industries building on Grand Avenue. The building would house dance and music instructors and would include space for the LEAP after-school program to provide tutoring and mentoring services to middle-school students.

Funding is the only hurdle in making the performing arts center dream reality. Brach Thomson, artistic director of the children's theater, hopes a grant from Vancouver, Wash.-based Murdock Foundation will allow the group to purchase the building and move forward.

"We've been thinking about doing this for several years … but we knew we don't have the finances to make it happen," Thomson said.

The building, which went on the market about a year ago, already has been secured, he said. A local "angel" bought it so no one else would.

"He bought this building and said, 'I will tie this up for you. I'll wait until you at least get word for these grants,'" Thomson said.

The man, whose name Thomson wouldn't disclose, is a "great arts supporter" who simply wanted to help further the dream, Thomson said.

"To me, that just said a lot. That means there are people in the community behind this project," he said.

The building is located within walking distance of Bigfork schools, which makes it ideal for after-school use, Thomson said.

He will work with Cathy Gaiser, director of the LEAP program, to provide after-school activities for middle-school students. The lack of opportunities for students after sixth grade has been one of LEAP's shortfalls, Gaiser said.

"Kids still need mentoring and supervision," she said.

At the center, LEAP would offer mentoring, tutoring and leadership opportunities. Gaiser also hopes to include community service projects, "giving-back kind of things so kids feel part of the community, proud of the community and proud of who they are," she said.

The program would be available at no cost to the students, she added.

"That seems to be the biggest problem: Sometimes parents just don't want to fork over the money," she said. "Their kids are missing out on opportunities because they can't afford it."

Thomson hopes to offer low-cost music and dance lessons at the center. He anticipates charging students to pay the instructors, who essentially would be contractors renting space in the building.

Thomson said he already knows some teachers who might be interested in operating out of the performing arts center.

"The fact that they want to do it, and the fact that there's interest - I think those are the things that will fill [the classes' up and make them work really well," he said.

The performing arts center already has made it through the first step of the grant process, Thomson said, but it could be several weeks before he hears whether the center is a grant recipient.

If it is approved soon, the center could open in a few months.

"We'll maybe be able to start up with a nice, clean, fixed-up building in the fall," Thomson said.

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com