Blog
A New Building For Master Arts
We are writing to you today with an urgent and exciting opportunity to help Master Arts meet the surging demand for Christian arts in our community.
For years, we’ve provided a vital, safe Christian environment for our community, especially our youth, to develop their God-given talents. Now the Master Arts board is working on a plan to meet the growing demands for our services so we can offer a better experiences for our shows and meet the growing demands for our youth programs.
The Challenge and Our Mandate
Christians have never been more needed to have a positive impact on our culture through entertainment than right now. A great example of this was one of the stories we recently received about peoples experience with Master Arts.
In 2002, my husband and I were in Turkey, touring Roman theater ruins, where we discussed how the early Christian community withdrew completely from the popular art of their day. Our guide, Ray VanderLaan, issued a direct challenge to our group: return to your cities and contribute, attend, and participate in Christian art and performance whenever possible.
Today, we issue that same challenge to you. The demand for what Master Arts offers has grown beyond our current capacity. Our youth programs are full with long waitlists, our shows are selling out and turning people away, and our building is struggling to keep up.
We have three main issues at our current location:
- Lack of space for classes, rehearsals, and storage.
- Lack of seats in our theatre.
- Lack of parking.
Our Two-Phase Plan to Meet the Need
The Master Arts board has a carefully considered, two-part plan to meet the needs of the greater West Michigan area in 2025 and beyond.
Phase 1: The Immediate $200,000 Goal
Our most immediate, crucial goal is to raise $200,000 to build a 1,400 sq. ft. expansion on our current property.
This new building will address our most urgent issues by creating much-needed classroom space, rehearsal areas, and crucial secure storage for sets, props, and costumes. This expansion is essential because:
- It immediately allows us to expand our youth programs and stop turning away children who need a safe, stable, Christian environment to grow in.
- It increases the value of our current property, which is a key step in securing the funding for our final move.
Phase 2: The Long-Term $4 Million Vision
This first step prepares us for a bigger vision: finding land and building a state-of-the-art new theatre and education center that the talent and passion of this community deserve. To achieve this, we will need to raise at least $4 million over the next five years.
The board is actively praying, planning, and looking at all possible options—talking with construction firms, realtors, and other experts about buying an existing building to remodel or building something entirely new. $200,000 today is the first crucial step on the path to $4 million tomorrow.
Your Partnership is Essential
We are asking you to join us in taking this first, crucial step. Whether it’s $50, $500, or $5,000, every dollar goes directly to supporting the immediate need for more space and fueling the long-term vision.
To Donate, Please Click HERE or call 616-455-1001
Please consider a generous donation tonight. Even small, recurring gifts make a massive difference!
- If everyone here gave just $100 a month, that would total $30,000 a month and $360,000 a year—more than enough to fully cover the cost of Master Arts’ operations, including our staff.
- Even a $50 a month donation would go a long, long way.
To Donate, Please Click HERE or call 616-455-1001
You can also mail checks to:
Master Arts Theatre
75 77th St SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
We need your help to say “yes” to every child needing a safe place in a dark world to grow in their God-given talent. Please help us build a lasting foundation for the Christian arts in our city.
You can make your donation [Insert Link to Donation Page Here].
Thank you for your generous spirit and for helping us reclaim the arts for Christ.
Sincerely,
Luke Bouma
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How Master Arts Defines Reader’s Theater
Master Arts Theatre’s 40th season includes two productions labeled as Reader’s Theater. I want to assure you, both shows will be “Don’t miss,” shows. Master Arts’ interpretation of Reader’s Theater goes beyond actors simply sitting and reading aloud. Let’s examine the two upcoming productions:
Read the full post from Walt here
God in Theater
February 2024
A couple of weeks ago, I was asked, “How do you justify theater and religion?” Just the other day, I was reminded that I needed to “put religion” in my acting classes. This led me to wonder, “Am I incorporating enough of God in my theater?” After much reflection, I realized I might be approaching this from the wrong angle. The real question should be…
Read the full post from Walt here
The Show Must Go On…But at What Cost?
December 5, 2024
Master Arts Theatre is a non-profit organization dedicated to impacting our community for Christ through the arts. We strive to fill the void in Grand Rapids for great family entertainment and developing artists in a Christian environment.
The Show Must Go On…But at What Cost?
You can read the full letter from our Executive Director, Luke Bouma, HERE.
Our 2024 Volunteer of The Year!
This past weekend at our Annual MAT Banquet we named MJ Farris as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year. MJ is the kind of person who is eager to help, has a deep love of theatre, and is a joy to be around. We’re beyond grateful to have MJ in our crew!
We can’t wait to see all the incredible things that MJ does for the world of theatre!
Summer 2024 Youth Program
August 8, 2024
Both camps are over. I looked around today and a tear trickled down my cheek, the kids were gone.
Read the full post from Walt here
Youth Summer Stock 2024
July 2, 2024 Walter Williams
I directed Youth Summer Stock for 20 summers from 2002’s Princess and the Pea to 2021’s collection including Centaurus One and South Paw. During that time I also directed many other youth productions including some summer youth programs in Hudsonville and the Fall/Winter Youth program. Most memorable was 2021’s production of Velveteen Rabbit, which was completely zoomed. I did not meet most of the cast in person until the day we filmed each individual part.
Read the full post from Walt here.
A New Printer at Master Arts
June 4th, 2024 – Walt Williams
I feel like a kid in the candy store. (Back when candy bars were a nickel apiece) You’ve probably heard we have a new printer at Master Arts. I printed 10, eight-page documents, two sided and the machine collated and STAPLED them.
You can read the full post from Walt HERE.
Work Day WOW from Artistic Director
May 28th, 2024 – Walt Williams
WOW!
I have been around Master Arts for a while. I have never seen what I saw this last Saturday. I’ve been to many work days, days set aside to clean, and get a little list of jobs done. I remember a “Spring Cleaning” day when there were only three of us cleaning.
You can read the full post from Walt HERE.
A Look Back At See Rock City From Our Artistic Director Walt
May 10th, 2024 – Walt Williams
I have performed many tasks at Master Arts, director, actor, props, set design, box office, lights, etc. I am proud of many achievements. But for the first time…
You can read the full post from Walt HERE.
The Mosaic Recap! – Artistic Director Update
April 20, 2024 – Walt Williams
We just finished with the Mosaic. For you who did not get a chance to come, it was a wonderful night filled with short pieces from such classics as Olver!, Scarlet Pimpernel, Pride and Prejudice, Arcnic and Old Lace, and a few others. The event was to announce our 24/25 Season and to launch the voting for the 40th anniversary season, 25/26.