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Kresge grant to support performing arts at Lee
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| Lee College's new 57,900 square foot performing arts center is expected to be ready for use by the end of the year. |
By JOSH HARDWICK
The non-profit Kresge Foundation recently joined the list of contributors toward Lee College’s new 57,900-square-foot performing arts center, promising $300,000 for the project in what the organization is calling a “challenge grant.”
The grant stipulates that Lee must raise $584,000 by Feb. 1, 2009, from the Baytown community and private organizations in order to receive the money.
In 2006 the Lee College Board of Regents voted to pass a $12 million bond for construction of the performing arts center as part of the college’s master plan.
The board also called upon the college itself to raise an additional $2.3 million to supply the facility with drapery, light and sound systems and other equipment.
Mary Ann Amelang, institutional advancement officer at Lee, said that the college has succeeded in raising about two-thirds of the $2.3 million when it contacted the Kresge Foundation for aid in February, 2008.
Representatives from the foundation visited the campus in May and in June informed administrators that Lee qualified to receive Kresge’s first endowment to a community college.
“We were thrilled because we were the first community college. The timing was right and the project was right up their alley,” Amelang said.
Established in 1924 by Sebastian S. Kresge, the foundation supports local communities through non-profit organizations acting in six key areas: health, the environment, arts and culture, education, human services and community development.
In June, 2007, the foundation expanded its scope to community colleges through such challenge grants.
“We are delighted to support the construction of Lee College’s new performing arts center,” said Rip Rapson, president and CEO of the Kresge Foundation. “With its strong commitment to access, diversity, community impact and environmental sustainability, Lee makes an excellent first grant to a community college.”
“With the awarding of this grant, we are saluting the efforts of Lee College to improve the conditions and opportunities in the Baytown community,” Rapson said.
Once the Foundation’s challenge has been met, the additional $300,000 grant will complete the $2.3 million needed to equip the center.
Lee Interim President Dennis Topper said he hopes completion of the arts center with Kresge funding will help the campus attract more attention from other potential donors in the area.
“Lee College will use the Kresge grant as an opportunity to reach out to new donors and solicit higher levels of giving from past contributors,” he said.
Construction for the arts center is currently underway and is expected to be completed by December, 2008. The facility houses a 695-seat auditorium, a black-box theater, recital hall, recording studio and several new class and rehearsal rooms.
Amelang said the center is expected to help revitalize Baytown’s historic downtown as it attracts fine arts enthusiasts from throughout surrounding areas.
“It’s truly a community performing arts center, not just for Lee students. It’s going to blow people away,” she said.
For more information on the Lee College Performing Arts Center or to make a contribution, contact Roberta Wright at 281-425-6302 or email rwright@lee.edu. Information on the Kresge Foundation can be found at www.kresge.org
The grant stipulates that Lee must raise $584,000 by Feb. 1, 2009, from the Baytown community and private organizations in order to receive the money.
In 2006 the Lee College Board of Regents voted to pass a $12 million bond for construction of the performing arts center as part of the college’s master plan.
The board also called upon the college itself to raise an additional $2.3 million to supply the facility with drapery, light and sound systems and other equipment.
Mary Ann Amelang, institutional advancement officer at Lee, said that the college has succeeded in raising about two-thirds of the $2.3 million when it contacted the Kresge Foundation for aid in February, 2008.
Representatives from the foundation visited the campus in May and in June informed administrators that Lee qualified to receive Kresge’s first endowment to a community college.
“We were thrilled because we were the first community college. The timing was right and the project was right up their alley,” Amelang said.
Established in 1924 by Sebastian S. Kresge, the foundation supports local communities through non-profit organizations acting in six key areas: health, the environment, arts and culture, education, human services and community development.
In June, 2007, the foundation expanded its scope to community colleges through such challenge grants.
“We are delighted to support the construction of Lee College’s new performing arts center,” said Rip Rapson, president and CEO of the Kresge Foundation. “With its strong commitment to access, diversity, community impact and environmental sustainability, Lee makes an excellent first grant to a community college.”
“With the awarding of this grant, we are saluting the efforts of Lee College to improve the conditions and opportunities in the Baytown community,” Rapson said.
Once the Foundation’s challenge has been met, the additional $300,000 grant will complete the $2.3 million needed to equip the center.
Lee Interim President Dennis Topper said he hopes completion of the arts center with Kresge funding will help the campus attract more attention from other potential donors in the area.
“Lee College will use the Kresge grant as an opportunity to reach out to new donors and solicit higher levels of giving from past contributors,” he said.
Construction for the arts center is currently underway and is expected to be completed by December, 2008. The facility houses a 695-seat auditorium, a black-box theater, recital hall, recording studio and several new class and rehearsal rooms.
Amelang said the center is expected to help revitalize Baytown’s historic downtown as it attracts fine arts enthusiasts from throughout surrounding areas.
“It’s truly a community performing arts center, not just for Lee students. It’s going to blow people away,” she said.
For more information on the Lee College Performing Arts Center or to make a contribution, contact Roberta Wright at 281-425-6302 or email rwright@lee.edu. Information on the Kresge Foundation can be found at www.kresge.org
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