A Film Institute in Fairhope? Brilliant Idea!

When we read this article at Al.com recently about some suggested ideas for the wonderful but currently vacant K-1 Center in downtown Fairhope, it filled us with joy!  Bringing the historic K-1 Center back into use in a way that benefits the community and expands the cultural development of Fairhope is a brilliant way to preserve a piece of the town’s history.  And of course, we’d LOVE to see a film institute developed there as well–what more could a burgeoning film festival ask for?

Below is an excerpt from the original article–follow the link at the end to read the entire piece.

Shuttered Fairhope K-1 Center eyed as future performing arts center, possible film institute

By Marc D. Anderson | manderson@al.com
on June 24, 2013 at 10:17 PM, updated June 24, 2013 at 11:27 PM

FAIRHOPE, Alabama — City leaders say they are tired of looking at the empty K-1 Center, a downtown fixture shuttered by a cash-strapped Baldwin County Board of Education in 2011, and are ready to find future uses for the facility before it’s too late.

During Monday night’s council meeting, officials said they were floating some ideas to convert the circa-1925 building on South Church Street into a performing arts center that could include a film institute.

While there was no mention of the school board, which owns the building, Mayor Tim Kant, Councilwoman Diana Brewer and Council President Jack Burrell said the city needs to doing something with the landmark.

…

Without air-conditioning and routine maintenance, Kant said the facility will quickly deteriorate.

“I think we can … make it a performing arts facility and also do some more with education instead of letting it sit there empty,” Kant said.

…

There have been ongoing discussions about the building between city officials and organizers of the upcoming Fairhope Film Festival, Burrell said.

“There’s just been some talk about the possibility of not only the Film Festival, but possibly a film institute in the city of Fairhope,” Burrell said. “It would be a good partnership to possibly put that at the K-1 Center. … I can’t promise you that it will happen but those discussions are taking place.”