a/perture celebrates 15th anniversary, surpasses fundraising goal

After a/perture cinema sent a call for help to the community in fall 2024, generous donors responded and rocketed past the theater’s $100,000 goal.
In all, the #saveaperture campaign running from mid-September through December 31 raised $251,775, inclusive of $70,000 in grants from area foundations. More than $181,000 came in the form of donations from individuals ranging from $5 to $20,000. In all, 594 individuals stepped up to join the campaign with donations.
In September, the board of directors of a/perture determined that without a cash infusion of at least $100,000 by year end, the theater might need to close its doors. The community’s strong response empowered the board of directors to hire new leadership and commit to keeping the theater open in 2025.
“We can’t thank the Triad community enough for demonstrating this extraordinary level of support for a/perture and its mission,” says new Executive Director Leigh Dyer. “And now, the real work of ensuring our long-term sustainability must begin.”
The news comes as a/perture celebrates its 15th anniversary as an anchor of downtown Winston-Salem. The theater popped its first popcorn and opened its doors on January 8, 2010. This past Wednesday, a/perture celebrated by re-screening one of its original films, “An Education,” starring Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard. The screening is a kickoff of a series of 15 films over the next 12 months, to be screened in honor of the 15th anniversary. Tickets and details are available at www.aperturecinema.com.
Also, a/perture announced a new fundraiser for spring 2025, “Return to the Red Carpet,” to be held in conjunction with the Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The event, to be held at a/perture’s location in the historic Chatham building, will be from 6:30-10 p.m. (with VIP tickets available for early access). Attendees will be encouraged to dress as their favorite movie character and will enjoy cinema-inspired cuisine, curated cocktails, a silent auction, and a viewing of the Academy Awards ceremony, with all proceeds going toward making a/perture’s film education programming more accessible to the community. Tickets are $100, $150 for VIPs, and will also be available at www.aperturecinema.com.
“Return to the Red Carpet” event sponsorships, which include event tickets and other benefits, are also available. Contact ED@aperturecinema.com for more information.
“We hope the community will join us as we toast to a/perture’s ongoing and future success at these curated events,” said Janice Tsoules, president of the board of directors. “We look forward to making 2025 a/perture’s best year yet!”