Cinema Arts Centre – Wikipedia
The Cinema Arts Centre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community cinema in Huntington, NY, and one of the oldest continually operating art-house cinemas in America. Established in 1973, the three-screen theater hosts 100,000 yearly visitors and over 10,000 members, according to the organization’s mission and history records.
How did the Cinema Arts Centre begin?
Vic Skolnick and Charlotte Sky founded the cinema in 1973. They’d moved to Long Island and felt unhappy with the film choices at local multiplexes, according to Newsday.
The venture started as “The New Circle Cinema” in a rented dance studio. Sky and Skolnick projected movies onto a bed sheet while patrons brought their own chairs, Newsday reports. Skolnick also provided a lecture before every screening.
The theater moved to a nearby firehouse in 1974 and renamed itself the New Community Cinema Club. By 1977, it relocated to a former elementary school, which remains its final site.
A $1 million donation from the Hoffman Foundation in 1991 funded a massive renovation and expansion of the facility, according to Newsday.
What events and educational programs are available?
The venue screens first-run American and international independent films daily and hosts over 500 special events annually, according to the Cinema Arts Centre.
Educational outreach includes the “Film Arts in Education” program for schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties. The theater also runs “Sunday Schmooze,” which provides a complimentary bagel brunch with tickets, according to the Sousa Mendes Foundation.
Specialized series include “Anything But Silent,” featuring silent films with live music by historian Ben Model, and a weekly Sunday series for children. The cinema also hosts a monthly movie trivia night and an annual All-Night Horror Movie Marathon using 35 mm film prints, according to TBR News Media.
Local talent is supported through the Made in Huntington Film & TV Festival. Variety reports this festival was launched by the Town of Huntington to help emerging filmmakers.
Who are the notable figures that have visited?
Numerous filmmakers and celebrities have appeared for Q&As and special programs. According to the Long Island Arts Alliance, visitors include Robert Altman, Steve Buscemi, Ang Lee, and Spike Lee.
Other notable guests include David Lynch, who made a rare Long Island appearance according to Newsday, and Rita Moreno, who met fans in Huntington in 2013.
The guest list extends to figures such as F. Murray Abraham, Alan Alda, Carol Burnett, and George Takei. Following the death of co-founder Vic Skolnick in 2010, a memorial service drew over 600 people, including Isabella Rossellini, according to Newsday.
How did the theater recover from pandemic closures?
The COVID-19 pandemic forced a temporary closure in 2020, according to Huntington Now. To survive, the cinema offered virtual programming and drive-in screenings.
Co-director Dylan Skolnick personally raised over $600,000 to maintain operations. A virtual fundraiser hosted by Elliot Gould also provided critical financial support, according to Huntington Now.
The theater reopened to the public in May 2022, as reported by News 12 – Bronx. In 2026, Kelsie Greene joined Dylan Skolnick as co-director, according to the cinema’s staff records.
Future operations may continue to rely on a mix of community fundraising and specialized programming to maintain its status as a non-profit entity. The theater is likely to continue its tradition of hosting international indie films and local festivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Cinema Arts Centre located?
It is located at 423 Park Avenue, Huntington, NY 11743.
Who currently leads the Cinema Arts Centre?
Executive Directors include Kelsie Greene, Dylan Skolnick, and Charlotte Sky.
What is the “Preview Club”?
According to TBR News Media, the Preview Club series allows moviegoers to watch upcoming films before their official release date.
Do you prefer watching independent films at a community art-house cinema or a traditional multiplex?