7th Art
The 7th Art Corporation of Ithaca is the non-profit media arts organization responsible for the operation of Cinemapolis.
Mission
Encouraging central New York residents to explore the power of film to entertain, educate, and to celebrate the human experience.
Community Cinema
A community cultural institution where the art of film is used to enrich people’s lives, grapple with and illuminate contemporary issues, and, of course, to entertain.
Film Festivals
The home venue for annual festivals including the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival, Ithaca Fantastik, and the Cine con ¡CULTURA! Latin@ American Film Festival.
What is Cinemapolis?
The first answer is simple: we are a first-run movie theater located in the heart of Downtown Ithaca, specializing in independent, foreign, and locally-produced films.
But more than that, Cinemapolis is a community cultural institution where the art of film is used to enrich people’s lives, grapple with and illuminate contemporary issues, and, of course, to entertain.
Executive Director, Brett Bossard
brett@cinemapolis.org
607.277.6115
120 East Green St, Ithaca NY 14850
Our Mission
The 7th Art Corporation, a non-profit media arts organization, encourages central New York residents to explore the power of film to entertain, educate, and to celebrate the human experience.
7th Art is dedicated to providing a sophisticated community with the best in new international and independent cinema. Since its formation in 2000, The 7th Art Corporation owned and operated Ithaca’s downtown movie theaters, Cinemapolis and Fall Creek Pictures–and now houses five screens under one roof at the new Cinemapolis.
Member Support
Ticket sales only cover 72% of the cost of running Cinemapolis, and we depend on our members and supporters to keep fine films coming to Ithaca. We look forward to your suggestions and your support. Donations can be made securely online (click “Be A Donor” ), or simply sent to: Cinemapolis, 120 E. Green St, Ithaca, NY 14850
Since 7th Art is a 501 (c) (3), your gift may be entirely or partly tax-deductible; consult your tax advisor.
If you have questions about donations or membership, please call 607.277.6115 during daytime hours.
- Ticket Sales 72%
- Donations & Fundraising 28%
About Cinemapolis
For 30 years, Cinemapolis has 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.
By serving as the region’s home to independent, international, and locally produced film, your community cinema enriches the artistic, social, and political life of our community through film.
Toward this end, Cinemapolis:
- screens more than 150 art and independent films each year
- provides film education programs for adults and students
- presents film festivals such as
- the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival
- the Ithaca International Fantastic Film Festival
- the Cine con ¡CULTURA! Latin@ American Film Festival
- premiers films by local filmmakers
- sponsors public film forums, film literacy classes and after-film discussions
- hosts screenings by local community groups and non-profits, fostering an appreciation of film as an instrument of change.
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.
7th Art Board of Directors 2016
Brett Bossard
Executive Director of 7th Art
Joined the CInemapolis team in 2013. Formerly the executive director of the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County, Bossard has more than a decade of non-profit arts management as well as degrees in screenwriting and popular culture studies.
Sue Perlgut
President
Award winning documentarian Sue Perlgut formed CloseToHome Productions to reach a wide-ranging audience with videos that feature topical and socially relevant issues. In addition, Perlgut is a director of local and regional theatre, including the Senior Theatre Troupe of Lifelong in Ithaca. She volunteers for local non-profits and is an arts and culture representative to the tourism Board of Tompkins County.
Marcia Nedland
Vice President
Marcia Nedland is the principal of Fall Creek Consultants, a national urban planning and place branding firm that specializes in rebuilding weak real estate markets in depopulating cities.
Bill Demo
Secretary
Retired Academic Technology Administrator, TC3; Board member, Foodnet/Meals-on-Wheels; volunteer with United Way, SPCA, Finger Lakes Land Trust, Wildlife Land Trust
Louise Hertz
Treasurer
Eric Acree
Board Member
Austin Bunn
Board Member
Austin is a playwright, screenwriter and assistant professor in Cornell University’s department of Performing and Media Arts. He previously taught in the Writing Department of Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He co-wrote Kill Your Darlings, which screened at Cinemapolis in 2013.
Derek Burrows
Board Member
Derek serves as General Counsel at GrammaTech, Inc., He’s originally from Clearwater, Florida, but graduated from Cornell (B.S. Engineering) in 2003. He next attended the Catholic University, Columbus School of Law, graduating in 2006.
Luca Maurer
Board Member
Luca Maurer is program director of The Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Education, Outreach, and Services at Ithaca College, and an author and consultant on a variety of topics including health, disability, diversity, and inclusion.
Howard Leib
Board Member
Howard is an attorney with over thirty years’ experience in intellectual property law, entertainment law and general corporate law. He has represented clients such as KISS, Whitney Houston, Bobby McFerrin, and Judy Collins. Howard has been called America’s leading children’s entertainment attorney by Billboard Magazine. In addition to the practice of law, Howard has taught for schools suh as NYU, Syracuse University and National Paralegal College. He has produced CDs and DVDs, usually related to comedy or television. He is chair emeritus of the Cardozo School of Law alumni association and a past member of Cardozo’s Board of Trustees.
Since moving to Ithaca, Howard has run as the Democratic and Working Families Party candidate for New York State Senate from the 51st Senatorial District. He currently hosts “No Soap Radio,” on WRFI-FM in Ithaca. You can find more about Howard at his web site, www.HowardLeibLaw.com
Don Rakow
Board Member
Don Rakow is currently an associate professor of horticulture in the Cornell School of Integrative Plant Science, where he is responsible for teaching several courses. Between 1993 – 2013, he served as the Elizabeth Newman Wilds Director of Cornell Plantations. He has led many CAU tours of the great gardens of Western Europe and writes frequently about the history, management and social dimensions of public gardens and parks. He is the co-author of ‘Public Garden Management’ (Wiley & Sons, 2011), and is currently co-developing a text on the role of public gardens in the well-being of communities and their residents.
Despite this extensive history in horticulture, Dr. Rakow has been a lifelong film buff, and as an undergraduate had a minor in film history. He regularly watches new releases (at Cinemapolis) and classics, and his favorite reading each week is the Friday film reviews in the NY Times.
Nina Miller
Board Member
Former Executive Director of Hospicare; Board member of Community Foundation, active community volunteer, writer
Margaux Neiderbach
Board Member
Director of Student & Young Alumni Programs, Cornell University Office of Alumni Affairs
Jay Wrolstad
Board Member
Jay Wrolstad is editor of the Tompkins Weekly newspaper. He does freelance work as a writer and editor.
Tom Shevory
Board Member
Professor of Politics, Ithaca College; Co-Director Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival.
Alison Van Dyke
Board Member
Debra Castillo
Board Member
Patricia Zimmerman
Board Member