Festival Hall, Greensboro’s only visual arts and performing venue, sits proudly across from city hall, opposite the Greene County courthouse on Main Street. It is fitting for a structure that embodies Americana at its best in a small southern town.
It is a building that boasts historic charm and captures memories from cultural, entertainment, business, civic, performing arts and much more on its corner in the city.
Designed as a home to nurture the quality and accessibility of cultural life in the area, Festival Hall is a 500-flexible-seat event venue with a 2,100-square-foot stage space.
Nicole Chillemi is the executive director of the facility and first came to the city in 2018, working in special events. She has been instrumental in securing grant funding, obtaining unique talent and show series and scheduling events throughout the year.
A 1994 graduate of Emory University, Chillemi is also responsible for the administration of the facility and is spearheading renovations that are currently underway. She gave an update to the Greensboro City Council Monday evening that highlighted a number of successes for Festival Hall.
“Festival Hall is a facility for everyone,” she said. “It brings together everyone for different events, concerts, proms, celebrations and more. Many thanks to the city for entrusting this great building and organization to me.”
Key performance metrics shared include an increase in event counts from a total of 40 compared to just 21 in 2020; total days of hall usage of 43 over just 26 in 2020; and a significant increase in visitors to the Hall since the launch of concentrated marketing efforts.
Festival Hall this year hosted nine private events: Lake Country Players, the Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS), Greene County Arts Night, a special documentary premiere, two jazz concerts, a prom, casino night and a business conference. City Council is also held and recorded at Festival Hall.
Chillemi was successful in securing a $31,320 Shuttered Venues Operating Grant (SVOG) last year, and funds have been carried over to this fiscal for further administrative, subcontractors, utilities and many other operating expenditures.
Additionally, she secured both a $3,600 Marketing Support Grant and a $14,500 grant to help underwrite costs associated with further renovations to the facility. Rental income for this fiscal has exceeded $25,000 with more events foreseen to be scheduled.
“We are operating in the black now,” Chillemi said.
Events to be scheduled include two performances by The Lake Country Players, an OPAS event in September, the finale to the popular Jazz Legacy concert series, several private events and parties and a Gospel event.
Event rental space costs run upwards to $1,500 a day with different pricing structures for private and non-profit organizations.