One Longfellow Square raises over $100K to stay open, but future uncertain
PHOTO / PETER VAN ALLEN
One Longfellow Square in Portland surpassed its fundraising goal of $100,000 in just nine days.
In just nine days, One Longfellow Square exceeded its fundraising goal of $100,000 to help pay its bills and remain open until the middle of 2021.
The nonprofit Portland performing arts venue is struggling to survive because of the economic effects of COVID-19, but raised $100,575 donated by 1,236 people.
Cost-saving measures were expected to keep the performance center afloat until Labor Day. Meeting the goal of $100,000 should sustain the center until mid-2021, it has said.
One Longfellow Square, at 181 State St., launched its GoFundMe campaign June 16.
In its appeal, the center said it was in danger of closing forever.
“In Portland’s vibrant music and arts scene One Longfellow Square stands out as a music venue sought after by musicians from around the world to play for people who come to listen,” the appeal says.
The small, 185-seat venue attracts name acts like Tom Rush, Anais Mitchell and the Portland Jazz Orchestra, but is just as likely to host a high school rock band. It pays artists an average of 70% of ticket sales.
The center began in 2007 as a for-profit business and became a nonprofit in 2011. To operate viably, it needs to sell more than 100 tickets per show on average and to sell out numerous shows during the year.
Still, the venue's small size and intimate space could make it difficult to get back to business as usual in the face of the pandemic.
When accounting for proper social distancing, the venue can fit only 30 chairs in its space.
“Until we can fully reopen with no limits on our audience size, the numbers simply don’t work,” the appeal says.
The center received a federal Payroll Protection Program loan that allowed it to keep staff onboard to prepare for the future and mount live streams for audiences. Despite lowered expenses, utilities, insurance, rent and a skeletal staff add up to $7,000 monthly.
Since March 13, events have been canceled or postponed on a rolling basis. March and April events that were postponed to June, for example, have been again postponed to unspecified dates.
Located in Portland’s West End near the city’s Arts District, One Longfellow Square accommodates film, theater, dance and live music.
It is also available to rent for events such as weddings, receptions, private parties, performances, functions and meetings, and provides high-quality sound equipment, a stage with professional lighting and a full bar.
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments