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Ticket sales only cover 72% of the cost of running Cinemapolis, and we depend on our members and supporters to keep the fine films coming to Ithaca. We look forward to your suggestions and your support. You can make a tax-deductible donation on line (click on the "Be A Donor" option), or simply send your contribution to Cinemapolis, 120 E. Green St, Ithaca, NY 14850.
7th Art Corporation is a 501C3 not-for-profit corporation. Your gift may be entirely or partly tax-deductible; consult your tax advisor.
If you have questions, please call 269-5464 during daytime hours.
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7TH ART BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2011 (See Board biographies below)
Lynne Cohen and Richard Szanyi, Founders and Executive Directors of 7th Art, have been living in Ithaca since 1984. Their career in film exhibition goes back to opening “The Collective Fantasy” , a single-screen art/repertory cinema in Santa Fe, in 1976. After selling the theater in 1983 Lynne and Rich moved to Ithaca where they opened the first Cinemapolis in 1986. In 2000, they converted the for-profit organization into a non-profit (The Seventh Art Corporation of Ithaca, Inc.) run by a board of directors, with Rich and Lynne remaining as Executive Directors. When opportunity arose, and with significant help from the community, Seventh Art designed and built the new Cinemapolis which opened in June 2009.
Current Cinemapolis Board Members
Nina Miller (President)
Former Executive Director of Hospicare; Board member of Community Foundation, active community volunteer, writer Karin Ash
Former Cornell University Student Services Administrator; Tompkins Public Library Foundation Board; Volunteer at Tompkins County Public Library, Cornell Bright Horizons and Cornell Pet Companions
Allison Andersen
Elementary Teacher, Ithaca City School District; Fall Creek School Age Program Board of Directors; former employee, Cinemapolis
Ethan Ash
Vice President, Vertical Health online medical education company; Co-founder of Illume, consulting and project management company; Board member Commons Advisory & Redesign Committee and Tompkins Country Strategic Tourism & Planning Board
Gail Fink Bauman
Corporate Relations Director, Johnson School Cornell University
Vicki Taylor Brous
Associate Director, Downtown Ithaca Alliance; Board member of United Way of Tompkins County, Friends of Stewart Park
Connie Bruce
Laboratory of Ornithology Communications, Cornell University; Founder of Ithaca Motion Picture Project
David Brumberg
Former History Bibliographer, Cornell University; cycling, hiking and kayaking enthusiast and active volunteer.
Bill Demo
Retired Academic Technology Administrator, TC3; Board member, Foodnet/Meals-on-Wheels; volunteer with United Way, SPCA, Finger Lakes Land Trust, Wildlife Land Trust
Jeff Dobbin
Vice President, Elmira Savings Bank; Board member of the RMA Empire Chapter, Country Club of Ithaca, McGraw House; Committee member of Downtown Ithaca Alliance, Sciencenter, Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce; Administrator/Coach, 6th and 7th Grade Ithaca Travel Basketball Teams
Rob LaHood
Director of Membership and Public Relations, Chamber of Commerce; Board of Downtown Ithaca Alliance; former Ithaca Kitchen Theater Board member
Enid Littman
Real Estate Development in Ithaca and Elmira; Board member, Tompkins Public Library Foundation
Stuart McDougal
Professor emeritus of English, comparative literature and film, University of Michigan; DeWitt Wallace Professor of English emeritus, Macalester College; Visiting Professor, Cornell University; board member, Cornell Cinema.
Margaux Neiderbach
Director of Student & Young Alumni Programs, Cornell University Office of Alumni Affairs; Ithaca Avengers Women’s Rugby Team
Frank Robinson (Vice President)
Former Director of the Cornell University Johnson Art Museum, currently Office of Alumni Affairs and Development, Advisory Committee member of PRI-Museum of the Earth and the Sciencenter
Tom Shevory
Professor of Politics, Ithaca College; Co-Director Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival
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About Cinemapolis
Introduction
Good film enriches human experience with meaning and understanding. For more than 20 years Ithaca’s two art cinema houses, Cinemapolis and Fall Creek Pictures have been dedicated to showing the best examples of the “seventh art”; films that stir our feelings, open our minds, connect us to others and deepen our understanding of life so that when we leave the theater, the world looks a little different.
It is the mission of these community supported theaters, overseen by the local nonprofit organization 7th Art, to enrich the artistic, social, and political life of our community through film. Toward this end the theaters:
•screen over 80 art and independent films each year
•provide film education programs for adults and students
•present film festivals such as our collaboration with Ithaca College in the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival
•premier films by local filmmakers
•sponsor public film forums, film literacy classes and after-film discussions
History of 7th Art
Cinemapolis, operated by Seventh Art, Inc., has been a vital part of Ithaca’s cultural life since 1986. Initially a for-profit organization established by Lynne Cohen and Richard Szanyi, the theater was located in two sites, the Fall Creek and Cinemapolis theaters. Cinemapolis was reorganized in 2000 to become a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), board-directed organization, like other arts organizations such as the Hangar and Kitchen theaters.
In 2007, the Board decided to take the opportunity to design a brand new theater in downtown Ithaca, a site which has allowed an ever expanding program of community education and special events as well as the continuation of fine independent and art films. All 5 screens are now located under one roof with updated equipment in an attractive, accessible and comfortable environment. Among the special educational offerings are discussions about films that raise important current issues, “Local Favorites” lecture series and Kidsflix matinees, in addition to an expanded role in the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival.
A membership program was established in 2008 with the goal of increasing revenue while attracting new members of the community to experience and benefit from Cinemapolis offerings. Members receive discounts on every movie ticket and most refreshments, in addition to other benefits, depending on membership level.
An advertising sales program has also been started as an alternative revenue stream. Ads for local businesses and organizations are shown in all five theaters as well as on a screen visible from outside the theater. Additional revenue programs include rental of the theater to community organizations and individuals, program and film sponsorship, and individual major gifts.
Building Community
As a community Cinema, Cinemapolis responds to the community’s interests by offering excellent examples of the film arts and educational programming centered on film. Cinemapolis screens works by local filmmakers, produces festivals in partnership with Ithaca College and Cornell, and works to educate students about the power of film. Community residents of all ages benefit from the growth that comes not only from exposure to exciting film, but also from joining their neighbors to participate in the arts.
Building Economy
A thriving downtown art film house is an asset to the community, a magnet attracting visitors who shop and patronize restaurants. A strong cultural community is a powerful recruiting tool for area educational institutions and businesses. Individuals and companies like to be a part of communities where citizens value the arts and appreciate the rich texture the arts add to the quality of life.
Giving Opportunities
Gifts of any amount are welcome, and all are tax deductible. Gifts may be designated for naming opportunities or unrestricted to allow us to fund general expenses.
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