Overture Center exceeds its $1.5 million Intermission Campaign goal
Overture Center for the Arts is deeply grateful to the Madison-area community for the outpouring of generosity and support during our Intermission Campaign. The campaign, which was announced SEP 1 and aimed to raise $1.5 million by DEC 31, 2020, received 2,200 donations and raised $2.2 million. Total campaign revenue includes individual, corporate and foundation gifts, state grants and a donation provided by an anonymous donor who matched all donations during the last month of the campaign.
“The passion our patrons have shown for Overture during our closure has been inspiring,” said Chris Vogel, CFO and COO. “From the donations we’ve received to the many notes and words of encouragement they have provided as they look forward to when we can reopen, it certainly has shown us how much Overture Center means to our community.”
Overture Center has been closed since March 13, taking an “intermission” by suspending performances and in-person programs during the COVID-19 worldwide health crisis to protect our guests, resident organizations, artists, volunteers and staff. The funds will be used to support us during our continued closure and to ensure a strong future for the arts in southcentral Wisconsin.
“I’m so proud of this community,” said Emily Gruenewald, VP of Development. “The last nine months have been emotional ones as we’ve worked hard to secure a future for Overture Center. Many individuals and organizations—including numerous dedicated donors and hundreds of first-time donors—have invested in this organization when we needed them the most. We are forever grateful.”
Here are a few ways the Intermission Campaign funds are making a difference:
- Enable us to present digital programming, including the Jerry Awards annual show, Live from the West Side with Christopher Jackson, Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway and Under the Ghost Light as well as upcoming National Geographic Live virtual shows in January and February and International Festival, Feb. 27.
- Provide rent relief to our 10 resident organizations through 2021 so they can use the savings to focus on rebuilding their futures.
- Help cover the wages of the small team of Overture employees.
- Help pay for urgent repairs to the facility and provide much-needed upgrades to the security and safety within the building, helping us to maintain our world-class center.
- Allow us to invest in personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies needed to safely reopen.
Overture Center is Madison’s home for the arts. Ten resident arts companies present their performances in our theaters and benefit from shared services, such as ticketing, security, front-of-house staff and marketing. Additionally, Overture hosts many non-resident local arts performances and exhibits. Access is at the heart of our programs. Since our opening in 2004, we have delivered an estimated 12 million arts experiences to the community. Nearly 300,000 free/low-cost experiences are provided annually through programs like the Jerry Ensemble, Onstage student field trips, artists-in-residency in local schools, Disney Musicals in Schools, Kids in the Rotunda and Overture Galleries.
Overture Center will remain closed until it is safe to reopen. An opening date has not been determined at this time.
