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Mary Borkovitz, Founder/Executive Director
Mary Borkovitz
Founder/Executive Director


History of Bucks County Performing Arts Center

(formerly Lower Makefield Society for the Performing Arts)

In 1978, a former public school system music teacher named Mary Borkovitz founded a concert series in Lower Makefield Township in Bucks County Pennsylvania. It was called the Lower Makefield Society for the Performing Arts. The organization was and continues to be committed to enriching the cultural life of the community through performing arts’ power to communicate and inspire, educate and entertain.  It works to raise awareness that a society cannot adequately thrive without the arts.

Ms. Borkovitz was offered the Township Community Room free of charge by the Board of Supervisors. Back then, no one was paid and admission was free. Eventually, as time went on, in order to grow and get performers of stature who made their living through their craft, a budget was established. This was initially done through the Matching Government Grant Program from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and Lower Makefield Township. LMSPA also gained its 501© (3) status, and became a fully tax-deductible organization. The organization was directed by Mary Borkovitz, along with twelve volunteers, who became her Working Board.


In 1985, the organization was recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association and was honored with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council Dorothy Mullen Arts & Humanities Award for a program that exemplified outstanding efforts in the arts among park and recreation departments.   Thirty two years later, the organization has grown in numerous directions.

Concerts are now held in the historic Yardley Community Centre, mostly on Saturday evenings, and continue to bring top notch performers to its stage.

In 1996, LMSPA established a vital partnership with the Pennsbury School District’s Pennsbury Partners Program through its Outreach Program called  “Artists in the Classroom”, which seeks to enrich the educational and cultural lives of the community’s youngest members – students.    Bringing professional artists into the school environment enables students to recognize the arts as an authentic means of expression as part of classroom learning.
  
The Lower Makefield Society for the Performing Arts also developed many business partnerships throughout the region, adding financial and community support to its mission.   LMSPA’s mission and scope showed such significant growth, that, in 2004, a governing board was established to oversee present and anticipated programs. The new board quickly concluded that the LMSPA had achieved sufficient stature as an arts organization to serve as a cultural resource for a much wider area. As a result, the following changes were implemented: a change in name, to “ Bucks County Performing Arts Center”,  that encompasses all of Bucks County; a fully-constituted board of directors, and; the operating structure of an expanded organization, with strategic planning and focus based upon mission, enhanced support, and continued growth.  BCPAC’s new name confirms the group's intent, while allowing continued sponsorship by Lower Makefield Township, and partial funding by Lower Makefield Township and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.    

As of January 1, 2010 the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts terminated its Matching Government Grant Program.   BCPAC will now rely more heavily on individual residents and local businesses to provide key support, both financially and through generous gifts and patronage. They are also grateful for their volunteers.

BCPAC is continuing to team up with corporations in Bucks County, which recognize the positive impact that culture plays in the daily lives of their employees. As long as the business community is uniquely and intricately entwined in BCPAC's continuing support and service to under-funded schools, music-loving residents, and artistically appreciative neighbors, the call to serve is both constant and consistent.

With the help and support of teachers, parents, school officials, neighbors, merchants and friends, the Bucks County Performing Arts Center, as an organization, continues to be dedicated to the promotion and development of community through the arts, and is realizing its dream of being a respected regional resource, while creating new aspirations in the minds and hearts of children.

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