Our Building

The Fountain Arts Center occupies what was originally the Belmount Hotel. The original wood structure was destroyed by fire in 1888, and was rebuilt in 1890 as the impressive three-story brick structure in the "business district" of Belmount.

As one of the most prominent and historical buildings if the community, the former Belmount Hotel has been designated as a historic landmark on both the National Register and New York State Register of Historic Places as an outstanding example of late 19th century architecture. This classification also recognizes the facility's important role in the county's social, business, and political affairs. Though it has suffered deterioration from years of neglect, like a "work in progress", it is slowly being revived into an exciting, inviting venue for the arts.

Location

The Fountain is located in the center of the village of Belmount, New York, which is the heart of Allegany County. Set between Chautauqua and the Finger Lakes, this peaceful, rural setting offers a refreshing oasis for creative minds, and a retreat from the hectic pace of urban life. Just beyond the banks of the Genesee River, the Fountain is a central gathering place three miles from the intersection of Route 19 and Interstate 86. It is located in the business district of Belmount, which is also the county seat and home to county offices.

Overview

In 2000, The Fountain Arts Center, Inc., purchased the former Belmount Hotel to create an arts center, and to provide opportunities in the arts. The first priority of the Fountain Arts Center (a not-for-profit organization) is to bolster the moral of the community by saving the building in which its organization is housed. This being done in phases, as funding allows. The blighting influence of some deteriorated sections of the structure are slowly but steadily being replaced.

Private investment has led to the transformation of two commercial storefronts in the facility into an artist studio, sign shop, and gallery. New York Main Street Grant Funding, matched by private donations, and local grant awards has helped to complete the rehabilitation of a third storefront into a performance/class/seminar area for arts awareness. Future grant funding and development is geared toward addressing structural needs into other areas of the facility, while providing arts education in completed areas.

Since the opening of the Community Room in 2001, The Fountain Arts Center has hosted dozens of solo and group shows for regional artists, ranging from photography to fiber arts, colored pencil to oil painting, ceramics, and metal sculpture. With partial funding from the New York State Council for the Arts Decentralization Grant, it has offered scores of classes through its Family Enrichment Series, Visual Artists Workshops, and Summer Arts Programs for Youth. The establishment of The Net in 2006, added a performance and music education venue for the center as well.

A Work in Progress ---- The Proposed Expansion

With the help of consultants at Edgemere Development, Inc. in Rochester, New York, the Fountain Arts Center is seeking to continue the rehabilitation of its landmark facility. The completion of the first floor commercial spaces for the arts venues will be enhanced by the creation of residential units on the second and third floors. An elevator, and new handicapped accessible entrances will serve the mixed-use facility as well.

The development team will secure financing for matching historic preservation grants through tax credit investment, loans and community renewal grants. All work to the facility is submitted for approval according to standards of the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Parks Service. The target date for completion is August 2008.

For more information on how to donate to our building project click Donations.