Phipps announces annual fund campaign

The Phipps Center for the Arts recently announced the beginning of its annual fund campaign. The Board of Directors established an Annual Fund goal of $250,120.

Chairman Yvonne Larsen appointed the following individual committee co-chairs: Adele Dolan, Katie Gherty, Dean Knudson, Dawn Marquart, Beverly Solsvig, and Burt Witthuhn, as well as the business committee co-chair Jon Stow. There are 42 campaign members from the Hudson area.

Larsen states, “I am pleased to chair The Phipps 2009 Annual Fund campaign. This year’s slogan is ‘You make all the difference – become a member of The Phipps today.’ It accurately reflects every aspect of the center. The success of The Phipps Center over the last 26 years is because of the dedicated participation, loyal patronage, and generous financial support of hundreds of friends.”

Nearly 600 volunteers contributed 44,677 hours of support in 2008, the equivalent of over 21 full-time staff positions. Volunteers annually provide dedicated and talented service in all activities of the center. Opportunities include planning the season of events, jurying and installing gallery shows, preparing mailings, performing, front-of-house management, selling tickets, operating light and sound equipment, as well as building sets, props, and costumes. Individuals of all ages and skill levels as well as families contribute their time.

From July 2008 through June 2009, 20,607 people came to 119 performances, recitals, and events ranging from dramatic to musical theater productions and from jazz to classical concerts. Over 1,500 attended nine art receptions, three artists’ lectures, three artists’ seminars, a roundtable discussion, two family activity days, and two community theater open houses -- all of which were free and open to the public. Eighty-five visual arts class offerings totaled 876 students, 176 performing arts classes attracted 2,167 participants, and 546 students took individual music lessons. In addition, over 3,500 valley residents attended 63 community rental activities. Thousands were attracted to the 30th Annual Afton Art in the Park and the 22nd annual free outdoor concert by the renowned Minnesota Orchestra.

The gifts of its benefactors have enabled The Phipps to record 23 successful annual fund campaigns. In addition, during the past two years, the center received 14 endowment gifts totaling $104,436, which have been matched dollar-for-dollar by challenge grants from the St. Croix Valley Foundation and an anonymous donor. This brought the endowments total to over $1 million, the first milestone in an ongoing effort to build permanently invested endowments to a much higher level.

The campaign chair continues, “We invite you to join us and over 800 others in advancing the mission of The Phipps by becoming a member today. Your gift makes you (and anyone else named on your check) a member of The Phipps.” This entitles a person to enter the Annual Members’ Art Exhibition; receive a 20 percent discount during the opening weekend of A Gift by the Hand, the annual holiday exhibition and sale; and vote at the annual meeting.

A gift of $25 or more makes one eligible to receive a subscription to Marquee, the bimonthly newsletter. A gift of $75 or more will be recognized in season program covers. A gift of $275 or more identifies one as a member of The Phipps Circle, entitling one to discounts on selected classes and invitations to special receptions. As a donor of $1,000 or more, benefits include all those listed plus acknowledgment as a member of The Directors Circle and an invitation to the annual recognition dinner.

Larsen explains, “The Board of Directors established an Annual Fund goal of $250,120 for 2009. Combined with the contributions of others, your gift will help assure that we meet or exceed this challenge in order for The Phipps to realize its goal of becoming one of the finest regional community art centers in the nation.

“In addition, matching challenge grant funds are available for all first-time gifts or renewed support, as well any increases in support by current members.”

For further information about membership in The Phipps Center, call (715) 386-2305 or visit online at http://www.ThePhipps.org.

Tags: arts and entertainment, phipps center for the arts, lifestyle, fundraiser