Frequently Asked Questions About Changes:
Does the new organizational name, Marquee Arts, mean the names of the theaters will change?
- NO! Never!! Michigan Theater will always be the Michigan Theater. State Theatre will always be State Theatre.
Why was the company name changed from Michigan Theater Foundation to Marquee Arts?
- Because our scope of impact is no longer limited to the Michigan Theater. This non-profit organization, which saved the Michigan Theater long ago, now also manages the State Theatre, Cinetopia Film Festival, Not Just For Kids series, and the largest specialty film program in the state of Michigan, as well as hosting many live-on-stage programs and events.
How are programs changing from before?
- They will evolve, as they always have, to meet mission, community, and artistic needs. Customers should not expect disruptive program changes. Programming will evolve naturally with the times. The theaters will continue to host:
- Great movies presented in two wonderful historic theaters.
- A variety of live-on-stage shows at the Michigan Theater.
- Lectures, festivals, community events, university events, and more.
Some Historical Background:
Our new name, Marquee Arts, is one of several company names which over decades have been connected to the Michigan and State Theater’s management organization. The Butterfield Theatres company opened the two theaters in early 20th century as commercial movie theaters and operated them into the 1970s.
In 1979, when the non-profit company which saved the Michigan Theater was created it used the name Michigan Community Theatre Corporation. That name was changed to Michigan Community Theatre Foundation. Over thirty years ago, it changed again to Michigan Theater Foundation. Now, since the State and Michigan theaters are together again under a single management the name of the management company for both theaters is Marquee Arts (replacing Michigan Theater Foundation).
- The brand marks for the State Theatre and Michigan Theater are also new. They unify the look and feel of the two theater’s logos for the first time since their days as Butterfield theaters in the 1970s.
The new unified corporate name, Marquee Arts, celebrates the Liberty Street vista which is a visual hallmark of Ann Arbor. That vista, looking east from the intersection of Liberty and Maynard Streets, features the outstanding marquees of the State and Michigan theaters, and the University of Michigan’s de facto “marquee,” Burton Tower – a key U of M landmark.
“Illuminate” is the theme the Marquee Arts name. The marquees illuminate Ann Arbor’s Downtown; the historic preservation of the theaters illuminates the past, and arts events that are held every day in the theaters provide, at their best, thoughtful illumination of the contemporary zeitgeist, both now in the time ahead.
As always, we thank you for your commitment and patronage to the Michigan and State Theaters, and ultimately, to the Arts and Culture that our venues bring to the community at large.
Thanks -Russ Collins, Executive Director and CEO
