MSU Federal Credit Union
Donates $2.5 million
Supports Broadway Series and the New
Institute for Arts & Creativity at Wharton Center
On May 19 the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) announced a $2.5 million gift to MSU’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts to fund the new Institute for Arts & Creativity and continue its support of the Broadway series.
“The MSU Federal Credit Union has a long-standing commitment to supporting Michigan State University and programs that enhance the student experience and enrich the community in which we live,” said Bill Latta, chairman of the board of MSUFCU. “It gives us great pleasure to reaffirm our commitment to the Broadway at Wharton Center series, and to offer additional support for the new Institute for Arts & Creativity.”
The new MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts & Creativity at Wharton Center will provide participatory learning programs both at Wharton Center and throughout the state for audiences of all ages. The institute will umbrella existing education programs including the Act One School and Family Series, Jazz Kats – Jazz For Kids, and the Young Playwrights Festival that integrate the performing arts into K-12 curriculum for more than 30,000 children each year.
Additional initiatives will include a collaborative program of artist residencies that will serve as the cornerstone of the new institute. During a multi-day stay on campus and in the community, an artist-in-residence will share his or her expertise and insights during close interaction with participants. Programs often include lecture demonstrations, master classes, career development discussions and opportunities for one-on-one and group mentoring. As part of the first major enhancement to the Wharton Center in 25 years, the physical spaces will include state-of-the-art technology necessary for long-distance learning broadcasts, providing thousands of children the opportunity to participate in arts education initiatives.
“The concept of the new institute is more than a four-wall classroom,” said Mike Brand, Wharton Center’s executive director. “In addition to our stages and public spaces, classrooms throughout campus and around the state will be utilized for institute programs. State-of-the-art technology will also allow us to broadcast our programs into classrooms throughout the state.”
MSUFCU’s donation is the lead gift in Wharton Center’s capital campaign to raise $11 million. To date, $6.5 million has been raised. Additional lead gifts have been made by The Christman Company, Jackson National Life Insurance, Larry and Arlene Sierra, and others.
The new MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts & Creativity at Wharton Center will umbrella these existing education programs as well as additional participatory learning opportunities both at Wharton Center and throughout the state for audiences of all ages.
The MSU Board of Trustees unanimously gave “authorization to proceed” at their April 18th meeting. Bloomfield Hills-based TMP Architecture/TMP Associates Inc. designed the expansion and renovations. Lansing-based Christman Company will lead the construction process, which is scheduled to begin this month. The new addition is scheduled to be completed in May 2009; renovations to existing space will be completed by September 2009.
Wharton Center for Performing Arts at Michigan State University ushered in a new era on Monday, May 19, with the official groundbreaking for the Center’s 24,000-square-foot expansion. The ceremony took place at 1:30 p.m. on Wharton Center’s north plaza and included remarks from MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, MSU Board of Trustees vice chairperson Melanie Foster, Wharton Center executive director Michael Brand, and the special announcement of a $2.5 Million gift from the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union.
back to whartoncenter.com
