PORTLAND – The Movies on Exchange Street, located at 10 Exchange St., and owned by Stephen and Judith Halpert since 1980, will move its operation to the Portland Museum of Art.

Beginning in February, the museum will show films in its auditorium on weekends. The new venture will be named Movies at the Museum.

The Halperts will act as consultants to the museum and continue to bring foreign, classical and arts films to Portland. The Movies on Exchange will close in the new year.

“Though we are sorry to be leaving Exchange Street, where The Movies has been for 32 years, the museum offers a beautiful new home and interesting new possibilities,” said Steve Halpert. “We hope that our many friends and loyal patrons will follow us there.”

In 1976, The Movies on Exchange Street was founded by Leonard Nelson, Marco DeSalle, and Jerry Robinov. In 1980, the Halperts bought the business and have shown about 2,000 alternative, foreign and classic films. The Movies has also showcased visiting filmmakers such as Thomas Hildreth (Islander), Jim Comas Cole and Aaron Duffey (Sundowning), and Tony Shalhoub and Brooke Adams (Made-Up). The museum plans to continue this tradition.

For more information about Movies at the Museum, visit www.portlandmuseum.org/events.