Brooks Center launches annual Friends campaign

Published: April 20, 2011

CLEMSON — The Brooks Center for the Performing Arts has launched its annual Friends of the Brooks Center campaign for 2011. The membership drive is the primary fundraising effort to support the performing arts at Clemson University. Proceeds go toward programming, educational outreach, community service projects, student scholarships and equipment upgrades at the Brooks Center.

“Donations to the Friends campaign are crucial to what we do,” said Brooks Center director Lillian Harder. "Without these donations, the center could not fulfill its mission to the university or the community.”
 
In 2010, the Friends campaign raised nearly $230,000. The funds assisted in presenting Broadway musicals, including "The Color Purple" and "A Chorus Line," as well as such artists as jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis, the Houston Ballet II and Celtic fiddler Natalie MacMaster. The funds also supported the 25th anniversary season of the Utsey Chamber Music Series, the university’s awarding-winning free classical music series.

Last year’s donations also made possible several unique learning opportunities for Clemson performing arts students, including master classes with the Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and the internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble Chanticleer. Contributions supported a mask-making workshop for local foster children and supported a Brooks Center lobby exhibition of art from the South Carolina State Arts Collection.

“Most importantly, donations to the Friends of the Brooks Center support concerts and shows on the Eskridge Tri-ART Series,” Harder said.

Tri-ART is the center’s education outreach program. This year, more than 10,000 public, private and home-schooled students attended special morning programs free or just $2.

Contributors to the Friends of the Brooks Center receive specific recognition. At the Century Club level ($100-$249) donors receive advance ticket ordering, recognition in select Brooks Center programs and a subscription to Expression, the center’s quarterly newsletter. At higher levels, donors can receive reserved parking, invitations to “Meet the Artist” events and naming opportunities, to name a few.

Contributions to the Friends of the Brooks Center campaign will go toward the university’s The Will to Lead: A Campaign for Clemson. The campaign is an effort to raise more than $600 million in support of Clemson students and faculty.

Gifts to the Friends of the Brooks Center fund drive must be received by Thursday, June 30, to qualify for 2011-2012 benefits. Go to www.clemson.edu/Brooks/donate to learn more about the effort and to see a preview of some of the performances planned for the 2011-2012 season.

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