Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) will begin oversight of the Lincoln Theatre on January 1, 2012. For the past 18 years, the U Street Theatre Foundation (USTF) has been responsible for the management of the historic theatre.

“Creating a long-term sustainable structure for the management and operations of the theatre is one of the District’s highest priorities,” said Mayor Gray. “Though the District has always stepped in to assist the theater when financial needs arose, we recognize the need for a different approach in order to put the theater on the path back to long-term fiscal health.”

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities has already been hard at work researching the best practices on how to create a sustainable management and operating structure for the theater, as well as a consistent artistic identity with clear, well developed programming that is fitting for the historic identity of the theatre. The District will be conducting $1 million worth of scheduled capital improvements and maintenance work on the HVAC and other systems of the theatre during this time.

“Hope springs eternal that this great theater with its historic legacy and impact on U Street will come fully to life as a result of this action. Please count on my continued work and cooperation to bring that about,” said Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham.

“I would like to commend the U Street Theatre Foundation for the work that they’ve done over the years with the Lincoln Theatre–preserving the legacy of one our city’s storied landmarks,” said Lionell Thomas, Executive Director of the DCCAH. “We’re excited for the future of the Lincoln Theatre and the role it will play in the burgeoning District arts community.”

The first programming venture the District will bring to the Lincoln Theatre is the Columbia Pictures film, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo–a partnership with Landmark Theatres. Screenings of the film will begin Wednesday, December 21 and will run for four weeks. Show times will be 1 pm, 4 pm and 7:30 pm daily.