NORWAY — The town is applying for a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant in an effort to save the historic Matolcsy Arts Center on Main Street.

If successful, the money will be used to stabilize and restore the Laos Matolcsy Arts Center that was constructed in 1866 as the Norway Upper Primary School.

About a dozen members of the Western Maine Art Group, which is housed in the Matolcsy building, and town officials met in a public hearing Thursday to discuss the application, which must be submitted by March 7.

Town Manager David Holt said the art center’s architect has advised him that unless something is done with the building soon, it may be lost.

Although the building is in need of repairs both inside and out, if the grant is approved, the money will only pay for repairs to the chimney, walls, roof and basement. But that work will ensure the building is stable, officials said.

Denise Whitley and others told the Board of Selectmen that they strongly feel the building should be preserved to ensure the continuation of the Western Maine Art Group’s work.

“I so hope we can save that building, because I think we have a vibrant art community here,” Whitley said.

Holt said it is a competitive grant and even though is a great project, it may be difficult to obtain the money.

“We’re certainly going to try,” he said.

Holt said the Western Maine Art Group has hired an architect and their application to Rural Development resulted in a $50,000 grant.

The building became an art gallery and teaching center in 1965 when it was acquired by the Western Maine Art Group, a nonprofit organization.

In 1967, WMAG founded the annual Norway Sidewalk Art Show, the first and longest running show of its kind in the region, which is currently part of the summer Norway Arts Festival.

The group works with the community at large to make the arts more accessible and provide opportunities for artists and artisans through the Matolcsy Arts Center and other exhibit venues.

In a related matter, Holt said he will be asking selectmen to place an article on the annual town meeting warrant in June that calls for $20,000. That money will be used to construct a prefabricated bridge across the Pennessewassee Stream, from the municipal parking lot on Water Street to the back of the art center and the adjacent Gingerbread House. Parking has been obstacle for both buildings, and this would resolve that issue, he said.

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