In 1875, a three-story brick building known as Lincoln Hall was erected in Damariscotta. The site of town and temperance meetings, graduations and balls … even a roller skating rink, it would later be the home of the Lincoln Theater. In the 1920s, equipment for motion pictures was installed and its history as a theater began.

In 2013, Lincoln Hall continues its rich diversity as the home of the Lincoln Theater, a showcase for the arts in all of its forms.

From musical, comedic and dramatic presentations by resident theater group (and owners) Lincoln County Community Theater, musical groups of all genres, and the lastest films in cinemas across the country to ballets, Shakespeare, and operas broadcast live, in high definition from New York, London, Paris and Madrid.

Some films are followed up by panel discussions, such as the upcoming “Inequality for All,” on November 7 followed by a panel from the Maine Center for Economic Policy.

Operas often are preceded by talks by Dr. Morton Achter, a professor and director of opera for 45 years. On December 14, Achter will discuss Verdi's “Falstaff,” a Met Live in HD performance.

Yes, the Lincoln Theater offers some of the most diverse, creative programing around — nonprofit or no. The evolution of its current art “theateresque” status began in earnest in 2009.

The arrival of Andrew Fenniman and John Mulcahy, both with rich and extensive arts backgrounds, marked a time of change. As the Chambers Brothers sang to us in the 1960s, “Time has come today.”

The executive director position at the Lincoln Theater is a natural fit for Fenniman, who has a background the blends business and the arts.

In addition to the Met Live in HD (now in its fifth year), Fenniman has added broadcasts of Britain's National Theater to the mix and, most recently, of the Royal Shakespeare Company, beginning with the live broadcast of its production of “Richard the II,” scheduled for two dates in December.

“A lot of this is serendipitous,” Fenniman said. “I have an independent film booker who is great. He sees everything. He has gotten to know me and theater and I can really trust him on the movies.

“With programing you just have to be creative, you try new things. Things are going to ebb and flow.”

Fenniman is particularly excited about his idea of bringing sports events to Lincoln Theater audiences, at no charge. The first sport served was the Wimbledon final, followed by the Red Sox's season opener this spring. Plans include showing the Olympics Opening Ceremonies and the World Cup.

Fenniman said overall the theater's programing is working.

“I see people downloading schedules from our website. People will say things like, 'I can only go to two things this week ... and I don't know what to pick.'”

The theater employs five people, including a full-time projectionist, and has a core volunteer group of 15 that help to keep the credits rolling.

Fenniman is always looking to try something new. He is considering screening Downton Abbey on Fridays in the winter, possible because the Sunday night episodes are available online the next day.

“Live shows are important to programming (the DaPonte String Quartet was in concert in October), but it all has to be balanced with the movie contracts,” he said. “There are lots of moving parts.”

Meanwhile, Mulcahy, as production supervisor for LCCT, gathers scripts for possible productions. The scripts are also read by the members of an ad hoc play reading committee. Members submit their gut reactions to each submission to Mulcahy, who has final say.

Fenniman, when not working on building audiences through creative programming, turns his focus to fundraising. Fenniman said the theater is fortunate to have a strong, strategic board, whose members have theater memberships, and support it financially.

In October the newest fundraising idea was unveiled on the theater website, www.atthelincoln.org.

Supporters of the theater can donate as little as $5 or $10 a week or a month. As an example of how the board provides financial, as well as innovative support, is its challenge match grant. Each month that $500 is received through donations, it matches the amount. And, as Fenniman noted, that covers the theater's $950 fuel bill.

“I think we have a broader base of people who can give $5 or $10 a month, that allows us to be much more sustainable,” Fenniman said. “Then you can do those bigger projects. It's a way to take advantage of both worlds.

“For me its about building a variety of things. So far people have been very supportive and the Lincoln Theater is in the black.”