In response to news of an investment group seeking to buy the Boston University-owned BU Theatre on 264 Huntington Ave., arts and cultural advocacy groups have emerged to preserve the theater’s location as home of the Huntington Theatre Company. The site has been on the market since BU and the Huntington ended their 33-year partnership last October, according to a joint statement.
MASSCreative, a statewide advocacy group for the arts and cultural community, launched the #HuntingtonOnHuntington campaign Wednesday to support keeping the Huntington in its current location, according to MASSCreative Executive Director Matt Wilson.
The advocacy group is working with other service groups such as ArtsBoston, StageSource and The Fenway Alliance to “raise a number of concerns about the future of the theater,” Wilson said.
“When we found out there was a developer who had put in a bid and was in the process of figuring out what to do with the site, we decided to do a public education campaign and provide opportunities for the public to voice their support for the Huntington and to keep it on Huntington Ave.,” Wilson said.
The group collected approximately 1,500 signatures one day after the launch of the campaign, Wilson said. The campaign also received a number of anecdotes from supporters voicing “their love for Huntington Theatre,” Wilson added.
“On Friday or Monday, we’ll compile a bunch of signatures and anecdotes to show there is some real support for the Huntington and its long history at that site,” Wilson said.
With news of the bid from a new developer, the Huntington is in the process of negotiating the prospect of keeping its home, Wilson said.
According to BU spokesman Colin Riley, the deal between BU and the potential investment group is too premature to discuss.
The university “declines to comment until we have a done deal,” Riley said.
College of Fine Arts classes and the Huntington will remain in the building until June of 2017, an Oct. 7, 2015 Daily Free Press article reported.
BU founded the Huntington in 1982, but the theater company was separately incorporated as an “independent nonprofit” in 1986, according to the company’s website. Since then, Huntington artists and staff members have taught and mentored BU students who utilize the BU Theatre, the website stated.
Several students have mix reactions about the university’s decision to put the building on the market. Some said the decision would be less beneficial, while others said the BU community would find a number of advantages.
Jean-Luc Lukunku, a junior in College of Communication, said he supports the university’s decision as long as it benefits students.
“All that matters is BU has the intent to better the education of fine arts students,” Lukunku said. “If they are going to sell the theater for improving the School of Theatre’s project and not just for the money, I have nothing to complain [about].”
Fiona Kearns, a junior in CFA, said she fears the relationship between BU students and the Huntington may suffer if the theater is moved.
“Every year, many students benefit professionally from our connection via internships, assistantships and other employment opportunities,” Kearns said. “Many are worried these benefits will end.”
Madison Lusby, a freshman in CFA, said she believes moving the location of the BU Theatre holds some potential.
“As the BU Theatre gets older and older, current students are finding more things that are ‘what ifs,’” Lusby said. “Students wish the BU Theatre would be different from our current space on Huntington Ave. With this change, this program is going to flourish because we will have the opportunity to have a brand new building on campus which is custom-built to the needs of our program at BU.”
