Guild Hall Executive Director Andrea Grover took time to reflect on the achievements completed so far under her watch. Perhaps one might say it started initially with the “Plan for 21st Century Renewal,” the historic architecture plan that created new capabilities for the 1930s-era performance space. With the 24,000-square-foot building and 46,000-square-foot property serving as a majestic gateway to East Hampton Village, modernizing the systems and technologies now totally supports the variety of programs that make Guild Hall a leader in all aspects of educational and performing arts.
Ms. Grover, talking about her most salient successes, said, “I like to say ‘our successes’ because the Board and team did it together. Guild Hall’s founding purpose has guided us since 1931: THE ARTS MAKE US BETTER CITIZENS. You can sense this at Guild Hall. We have artists and performers devoted to our institution, patrons, and volunteers who feel deeply connected to us, a generous board that functions as an extended family, and a once-in-a-lifetime chair, Marty Cohen. The team is fun and artistic, the program is ahead of the curve, and the newly renovated facility is technologically right for today’s creatives. I am proudest of 1. The culture, 2. The program, and 3. The renovated facility.”
The renovation included recreating the theater’s much-beloved circus-tent ceiling motif and iconic balloon chandelier. The non-original elements, including moldings and wallcoverings, were updated to reflect the theater’s elegant 1930s design more closely. The upgraded features brought the theater’s functionality up to contemporary performance needs. The restoration of the stage’s scalloped proscenium frame, part of the theater’s original design by Aymar Embury II, is once again poised for 2025 after a successful 2024.
In discussing what has surprised her the most since becoming executive director, she responded, “I’ve never worked at a place so cherished by so many. ‘I love Guild Hall’ are the first words most people utter when I say I’m the executive director. Guild Hall has a long tenure as an arts and civic institution in an artists’ colony, with a story that parallels art and theater history.” Then she added, “Artists like Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock exhibited in our galleries before they were household names, and playwrights like Thornton Wilder, Edward Albee, and Nora Ephron presented works on our stage. That a small-scale institution could have this kind of gigantic legacy was a revelation.”
Now, moving forward, preparing for 2025 and beyond , programming,Ms. Grover was direct: “Adaptation has always been a strong suit of artists, so I am confident that Guild Hall will evolve with the times. The biggest question for all arts organizations is who will support us in the future; most (art organizations)rely on philanthropy for more than 50 percent of their operating costs. Will subsequent generations see the value of creativity in their lives?”
The mission statement painted over the entrance of Guild Hall in gold leaf has an important message. It is viewed by everyone who walks through the three traditional arches that have always made up the entrance to Guild Hall. It simply but elegantly says, “We invite everyone to experience the endless possibilities of the arts: to open minds to what art can be; inspire creativity and conversation; and have fun.” Hopefully, subsequent generations will continue to see and financially support the value of creativity in their lives.
When asked who has been most influential in helping her achieve her successes at Guild Hall, Ms. Grover said, “Chair Marty Cohen gave us (all) the confidence to take on a major renovation and usher our program into the future. The team is very smart and well-rounded. Art is not just a job for them— it’s a way of life.”
Another achievement at Guild Hall is that it now has new convenient handicapped entrances to the building, gardens, and lobbies, especially for access to the “Hilarie and Mitchell Morgan Theater,” which opened on Friday, July 12, 2024, as a key part of the “Plan for 21st Century Renewal.”
When asked what inspires her day-to-day, Andrea Grover answered, “Laughter and surprise,” then added jokingly, “I’ll send you my vision board if you like.” Her vision and determination, along with the Board, have positioned Guild Hall to be the best-performing arts and art exhibition facility on the east end.
