Artcraft Theatre
A historic Art Deco movie theatre in Franklin, Indiana, now operated as a preservation-focused venue for classic films, concerts, and community events.
Last updated October 14, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
The Artcraft Theatre is a historic movie theatre in downtown Franklin, Indiana, United States. Opened on November 1, 1922, it was the first theatre built in Franklin specifically for motion pictures. Its position across from the interurban railway station also made it suitable for vaudeville performers, school productions, college ceremonies, and other live events. During its early years the theatre screened silent films, with musicians performing in an orchestra pit immediately in front of the stage. The Rembusch family of Shelbyville, Indiana, leased the theatre in 1928 and acquired it in 1936. The family installed sound in 1929, enabling the Artcraft to screen Fox's Follies of 1929, its first talking picture. In the 1930s it introduced an early air-conditioning system based on swamp cooling and participated in Bank Nite promotions, a lottery-style attraction that helped cinemas draw audiences during the Great Depression. A marquee and blade sign were added in 1940, along with decorative vitrolite glass on the façade. The theatre and the surrounding community later appeared in a LIFE Magazine photographic essay about small-town American life. The building underwent a major transformation after the Second World War. Architect Alden Miranda prepared plans for a new appearance, and work beginning in 1948 ultimately produced the Art Deco character associated with the theatre today. The renovation streamlined the façade and lobby, introduced neon and reflective tile, softened the building's corners, and added a marquee with a waterfall-like illuminated pattern. A new curved screen was installed in 1953, while the original orchestra pit was filled with sand and concrete. These changes made the venue more oriented toward cinema exhibition than live performance. The Artcraft remained Franklin's only operating theatre through much of the second half of the twentieth century. The rise of multiplex cinemas in the late 1980s and 1990s changed the theatre's commercial environment. Owner Michael Rembusch developed Canary Creek Cinemas after determining that the single-screen Artcraft could not effectively compete with a planned multiplex. Because he did not intend to operate two theatres in the same city, the Artcraft closed after a continuous 78-year run in May 2000. Its final film was Gone with the Wind. Local businessman Bob Schofield subsequently purchased the building with the goal of helping revitalize downtown Franklin. His uses included an ice-cream shop, concerts, and an under-21 dance club. A portion of the auditorium ceiling collapsed during a dance-club event in May 2001. Although repairs permitted limited activity to resume, structural and electrical concerns led engineers to condemn the building in August 2003. Franklin Heritage, Inc., a local preservation organization, then acquired the theatre with support from the Johnson County Community Foundation. Franklin Heritage repositioned the Artcraft as both a restored historic site and a community cultural venue. Its "Classic Film on a Classic Screen" program began in September 2001 with From Here to Eternity and developed into recurring screenings. The organization later launched a $500,000 restoration campaign and began the Marquee Project to recover the building's Art Deco appearance. A state historic-preservation grant was awarded in 2006. Restoration has been coordinated with Franklin Heritage's broader downtown-preservation work. Today the Artcraft presents classic films generally at least ten years old, selected for cultural importance, craftsmanship, popularity, or cult status. It also hosts concerts, special events, and partnerships such as the Heartland International Film Festival's Best of the Fest program. The theatre celebrated its centenary in 2022. It is recognized as a contributing resource in the Franklin Commercial Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places and is regarded as an important surviving example of Indiana Art Deco theatre architecture.
History
The Artcraft Theatre opened in Franklin, Indiana, on November 1, 1922. Designed in a neoclassical manner, it was Franklin's first purpose-built movie theatre. Its location opposite the interurban station supported both cinema and live entertainment, including vaudeville. Silent films were accompanied by musicians in an orchestra pit, while local schools and Franklin College used the stage for plays and commencements during the 1920s and 1930s. The Rembusch family leased the theatre in 1928 and purchased it in 1936. Sound equipment was installed on October 28, 1929, and the first talking picture shown was Fox's Follies of 1929. The theatre added an early air-conditioning system in 1935 and used Bank Nite promotions during the Depression. In 1940, the owners installed a two-line A-frame marquee, a blade sign, and decorative vitrolite glass. The theatre's setting also contributed to LIFE Magazine's 1940 coverage of Franklin as an example of small-town American life. During the Second World War, the Artcraft supported scrap-metal and War Bond drives, sometimes offering movie admission incentives to participants. A postwar renovation designed by Alden Miranda began in 1948. Completed in stages, including a new screen in 1953, the project gave the theatre its streamlined Art Deco identity. Neon, mirrored tile, rounded corners, a redesigned marquee, and a curved screen modernized the building. Filling the orchestra pit shifted the venue's emphasis from stage performances toward film exhibition. The Artcraft remained Franklin's sole operating movie theatre from the 1960s until 2000. The emergence of multiplexes threatened the economics of the single-screen venue. Michael Rembusch responded by building Canary Creek Cinemas, but decided that the Artcraft and the new cinema could not both be operated in the same market. The Artcraft closed in May 2000 after 78 uninterrupted years, screening Gone with the Wind as its final film. Bob Schofield then purchased the property and attempted to connect it with downtown redevelopment through an ice-cream shop, concerts, and an under-21 dance club. A ceiling collapse in May 2001 exposed the building's condition. Engineers condemned the property in August 2003 because of structural and electrical problems. Franklin Heritage, Inc. acquired the theatre with assistance from the Johnson County Community Foundation. Franklin Heritage began renting the building for preservation income in 2001 and launched the Classic Film on a Classic Screen series on September 13 of that year with From Here to Eternity. After acquisition, the organization pursued a $500,000 renovation campaign and a Marquee Project intended to restore the theatre's Art Deco presentation. A state historic-preservation grant followed in 2006. The Artcraft's current identity combines classic-film exhibition, concerts, local partnerships, and stewardship of a historic building. It is a contributing property in the Franklin Commercial Historic District and celebrated 100 years of operation history in 2022.
- 2022
Centennial anniversary
[1]The theatre celebrates its 100th anniversary.
- 2006
State preservation grant awarded
[1]A state historic-preservation grant supports restoration work.
- 2003
Franklin Heritage acquires the theatre
[1]Following condemnation for structural and electrical issues, the preservation group purchases the property.
- 2001
Classic Film on a Classic Screen launches
[1]Franklin Heritage begins recurring classic-film programming with From Here to Eternity.
- 2000
First-run cinema closes
[1]The Artcraft ends its 78-year continuous first-run run in May.
- 1953
New curved screen installed
[1]The postwar modernization concludes with installation of a new curved screen.
- 1948
Art Deco renovation begins
[1]A major redesign begins under architect Alden Miranda.
- 1936
Rembusch family purchases the theatre
[1]The family acquires the Artcraft and makes it the headquarters of the Syndicate Theatre network until 2000.
- 1929
Sound is installed
[1]The theatre installs sound equipment and presents Fox's Follies of 1929 as its first talking picture.
- 1928
Rembusch family begins leasing the theatre
[1]The Rembusch family of Shelbyville, Indiana, takes over the lease.
Products and positioning
A community-oriented historic cinema that combines classic-film programming with architectural preservation, local events, and downtown revitalization.
Film programming · 2001
Classic Film on a Classic Screen
The Artcraft's signature classic-film program presents older films selected for historical importance, craftsmanship, cultural recognition, popularity, or cult appeal. It began in 2001 as a preservation-supporting activity and helped return regular cinema use to the restored venue.
Film festival partnership
Heartland International Film Festival Best of the Fest
A recurring partnership that brings selected Heartland International Film Festival programming to Franklin. The events broaden the theatre's offering beyond repertory classics and connect the historic venue with regional film audiences.
Live entertainment
Concerts and community events
In addition to cinema, the Artcraft hosts concerts and community or cultural events. These uses reconnect the building with its original stage-oriented role while supporting Franklin Heritage's preservation mission.
Marketing campaigns
- 2003Marquee Project and $500,000 restoration campaign
Franklin, Indiana
After acquiring the building, Franklin Heritage pursued a major fundraising and restoration effort focused on repairing the theatre and recovering its Art Deco appearance, including the marquee.
Outcome. The campaign formed part of a continuing restoration program supported in part by a state historic-preservation grant in 2006.
- 2001Classic Film on a Classic Screen
Franklin, Indiana
Franklin Heritage introduced recurring classic-film screenings to generate activity and income for the theatre's preservation. The inaugural presentation was From Here to Eternity on September 13, 2001.
Outcome. The program became a continuing part of the Artcraft's identity and helped establish its post-2000 role as a repertory cinema.
Brand decisions
2003
Ownership transfers to Franklin HeritageStrategyBackground
Structural and electrical problems led engineers to condemn the building after a prior ceiling collapse and temporary repairs.
Action taken
Bob Schofield accepted Franklin Heritage's offer to purchase the property, with support from the Johnson County Community Foundation.
Aftermath
The theatre entered a long-term preservation and restoration program rather than facing demolition or permanent closure.
2001
Preservation group returns the theatre to film exhibitionStrategyBackground
Franklin Heritage needed productive uses and revenue to support restoration and upkeep of the threatened building.
Action taken
The organization began renting the theatre and launched recurring classic-film screenings.
Aftermath
The Artcraft developed a sustainable identity as a historic repertory cinema and community venue.
2000
Owner exits the single-screen businessStrategyBackground
The spread of multiplex theatres made it difficult for the single-screen Artcraft to compete. Michael Rembusch also owned the newer Canary Creek Cinemas in Franklin.
Action taken
Rembusch chose to close and sell the Artcraft rather than operate two cinemas in the same city.
Aftermath
The theatre closed after 78 continuous years as a first-run venue and later passed into preservation ownership.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/artcraft-theatre · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled