Florentine Opera Company receives $50,000 Bader Philanthropies Grant to promote new program, Opera for All!
“Opera for All! will expand the Florentine’s reach in the community,” said General Director William Florescu.
Milwaukee, Wisc.—November 16, 2015 – The Florentine Opera Company is pleased to announce it is a recipient of a $50,000 Bader Philanthropies Grant, which will help fund its new community engagement initiative, Opera for All! The Florentine will receive $25,000 in funding in each of the next two years.
“Opera for All! will expand the Florentine’s reach in the community,” said General Director William Florescu. “We hope to engage up to 60,000 people, or ten percent of the city of Milwaukee’s population, through even more low-cost or free performances in community venues. This grant from Bader Philanthropies will help us achieve that goal.”
A partnership with Bader Philanthropies fits well with the Florentine’s mission: to be a great opera company enriching a great city. The Florentine Opera Company currently reaches more than 40,000 people across the Milwaukee area each year, whether on stage, in schools, or in the community.
Opera For All! will help solidify the Florentine’s innovative business model in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood. In recent years, the company relocated its offices to Burleigh Street, along with the Wayne and Kristine Lueders Opera Center. The Florentine continues to host its innovative @the Center concert series in Riverwest, while housing its young professional Studio Artists in residence next door to the center. Opera for All! will enable the Florentine to continue pushing the boundaries of conventional opera companies, while breaking down barriers to access and affordability.
Organization Information
The Florentine Opera Company’s productions reflect the highest musical and theatrical standards, while supporting community and educational programs. As a leader in Wisconsin’s art community and the nation’s sixth-oldest opera company, the Florentine Opera seeks to establish a significant presence in the cultural, educational and civic life of the state of Wisconsin and beyond. Audiences enjoy beautiful main stage productions that include first-rate vocal artistry brought to life by established and emerging international, national and local opera stars. With a foundation of fiscal responsibility, the company continues to grow its artistic and educational programs. Through its community engagement and in-school educational programming, the Florentine provides vital arts education experiences for children, nurtures new audiences, and expands cultural horizons for the next generation. The Florentine Opera is a cornerstone member organization of the United Performing Arts Fund and receives funds from Milwaukee County the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as support from corporations, foundations and individuals. The Florentine Opera Company is an organizational member of OPERA America.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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Well-deserved, Florentine Opera Company! Congratulations!