Last modified: Friday, July 6, 2007 1:45 AM EDT State awards arts group $50,000 for staffing BY MICHAEL GELBWASSER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF MANSFIELD - The Mansfield Music and Arts Society has secured $50,000 in state funds toward staffing its proposed downtown theater and studio. The funds were secured by state Sen. James Timilty, D-Walpole, who is vice chairman of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. MMAS General Manager Ken Butler said Thursday the funds will go into his nonprofit group's annual campaign. He envisioned the money allowing the MMAS to hire one or two people to staff the new facility. "It's really a great start, in that respect," Butler said. The facility is eyed for 11 Shawmut Ave., the former Fales Fuel Supply site that Mansfield took by tax title in 2002. At a special town meeting last November, residents voted to allow selectmen to sell the property to a nonprofit music and arts organization for $1. At that time, the MMAS presented plans for a $5 million building. The preliminary design showed a 140-seat theater, a large public gallery and 16 artist lofts and apartments. Butler said the MMAS has not begun fundraising. A consultant will soon start a feasibility study, Butler said. The firm will solicit opinions on the MMAS and the project from members, residents and business people. The study should be done by early October, Butler said. This feedback will shape the arts group's capital campaign. If selectmen accept the MMAS proposal, groundbreaking would occur after the group raises "a certain amount of money," Butler said. The building would be the MMAS' first permanent home. The group has rented space at 30 Crocker St., where it operates the Blackbox Theater, since March 2003. Prior to that, the group spent three years in a former fraternal lodge donated by landowners Andres and Maria Gazzolo. Butler started the MMAS in 1993. MICHAEL GELBWASSER can be reached at 508-236-0372 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.