Landmark on Main Street

In 1985, the Port Washington School Board closed the Main Street School that hadserved the community since 1909. Faced with the sale and possible demolition of thisbeloved structure, two local citizens' groups merged their individual visions for the future of the building and surrounding park. Overcoming daunting legal and financial obstacles, the newly formed Landmark on Main Street partnership mapped out a plan for affordable senior housing and a community center to share the space. The converted building was returned to the community in 1995.The multi-faceted, multi-generational space now houses four distinct nonprofitsincluding the Parent Resource Center, Port Washington Children's Center, the TeenCenter and Landmark on Main Street, home of the Jeanne Rimsky 425-seat theater andthe Doctors' Gym. Additionally, there are 59 subsidized apartments for low-incomeseniors, 9 of which are for adults with disabilities. Landmark stands today as atestament to the fortitude and spirit of the entire Port Washington community.Through our unique history Landmark has rightfully become a regional treasure, reflecting the value we all place on the arts.Landmark strives to combine the business model of a for-profit performing arts center with our mission as a non-profit organization seeking to make performing artsaccessible to all. Our method is simple; bring in great talent, raise awareness, andkeep it affordable all while giving back to our community. Our goal is to bringperforming arts to the community and in turn, the community to the performing arts.Landmarks ticketed season typically runs from late August through June. Theseperformances help support our community programming through ticket sales andsponsorship generation. Beyond our ticketed programs, we offer over 30 free community programs and events throughout the year benefiting all within the community. We actively seek in-kind donations, partnerships, sponsors and grant subsidies to underwrite and sustain these programs.This year, we returned to a full in-person season of shows. Our season includednearly 75 ticketed shows, offering high-quality award-winning performers ranging from the iconic Ben Folds, Tommy Emmanuel, Rickie Lee Jones to the up and coming Gaelic Storm, Brandon Taz Niederauer, Jake Shimabukuro - appealing to a broad range of audiences across all age, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. In addition to providing income, this very strong schedule allows us to secure sponsorships from individuals and businesses; these funds are used to cover operating expenses and support our community mission. Our Community Free Ticket Program, underwritten in part by a grant from the Community Chest of Port Washington, allowed us to welcome over 500 community members to our concerts. We distribute tickets to a network of community services and organizations who in turn distribute them to underserved populations. And we offer free tickets to the senior residents with whom we share our historic building.Additionally, we collaborated with the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce, PortWashington BID, Residents Forward to continue Port Outdoors, a series which turnedMain Street into a pedestrian mall monthly from May through October. Intended tosupport local businesses and foster a sense of community, Port Outdoors included live music and performing arts which Landmark coordinated.We work with community leaders to identify and book performers with particularresonance to specific demographics in our community. And we actively seek communitypartnerships to extend and enrich our programs. Our annual grant from the Ed.Foundation enables us to offer local school music students special performances byartists that Landmark brings to Port Washington, deepening the students appreciation for the professional concert, to which they are also invited.Our two flagship community series, also grant funded, address our mission ofengagement and enrichment. Conversations From Main Street provides a public forum for the discussion of issues that matter to our community through presentations that are inspiring, thought provoking and sometimes controversial. Audiences have the opportunity to interact with experts in a variety of fields, ask questions, express opinions and share ideas. Topics reflect the interests of our community; this year we addressed ageism, domestic violence, parenting, standardized testing, and alternative medicine. Conversations From Main Street complements the entertainment portion of our season by engaging the community in meaningful dialogue, while providing the opportunity to forge new partnerships with community organizations. This program continues on a virtual platform with plans to offer both in-person and virtual viewing options starting in the fall.Afternoon TEA (Theater, Entertainment, Arts) is Landmarks premiere series designed to give seniors a sense of community and social engagement through cultural activities and interactive live entertainment. Audiences are comprised of residents of the subsidized senior apartments located in the Landmark building, retirees and other seniors (defined as ages 55+) in Port Washington and surrounding communities. TEA programs are held twice monthly, year-round, with a total of 24 programs annually. Programs range from live musical performances, comedians, impressionists, multimedia presentations to classic films, documentaries and dance. Free refreshments are provided. The program is largely underwritten by donations and grants. As a result of Covid, this series is now being offered in a hybrid format: online via Zoom as well as in-person in our theater.Our facility rental program recognizes the value of participation in establishing alifelong appreciation for cultural arts. By allowing community performing artsorganizations to rent our theater and gym at below-market rates, we provide hundredsof young performers with the opportunity to engage in the performing arts.We take pride in the breadth of our community support. Grants from New York State &private foundations, plus additional support from sponsors and Partners in thePerforming Arts help sustain our ability to bring the performing arts to ourcommunity and our community to the performing arts.