Over the years, the Fox Theatre, founded in 1929, has made a name for itself as the home of world-class programming. Pull the curtain back, however, and there’s even more to the institution. It is a steward of historic preservation and arts programming throughout the state—an effort led by Leigh Burns.
Burns is the director of community partnerships for Fox Gives, which has awarded $4.2 million in grants to 61 historical theaters since 2008. The funds go towards preserving the venues as historical landmarks, which in turn boost local economies. In 2022, the nonprofit arts and culture sector generated $1.3 million in economic activity alone. “The Fox wants to pay forward its success, and we saw a need for technical assistance through rehabilitation for theaters throughout Georgia,” says Burns. “We offer that, plus professional development, education, and grants.”
Theatres such as the Plaza Theatre in Poncey-Highland, downtown’s Theatrical Outfit, the Morton Theatre in Athens, and the Piedmont Grand Opera House in Macon have received help from Fox Gives. “We’ve made efforts to invest in theaters that not only want to provide the best experience, but also help diversify programming and education and recapture their audience,” says Burns.
Her approach to partnerships is creative, combining education, preservation, and empowerment through community-driven engagement. Two such programs are Fox in Box, an interactive school program about preservation available in English and Spanish; and All-Access Pass, which provides hands-on technical experience to high schoolers. Burns has been instrumental in reaching nearly 70,000 students across 200 schools.
It’s important groundwork to keep Georgia’s theaters running and the arts top of mind. “We want people to find a sense of identity locally,” Burns says. “We love for them to come to the Fox, but we also champion the preservation of these smaller theaters. We think it’s important that audiences, especially kids, learn that personal connection and have a sense of ownership in their community.”
– LAUREN FINNEY HARDEN
