Civic Arts Plaza Endowment Fund Surpasses $6 Million

The Civic Arts Plaza endowment fund increased by $1 million last month, boosting the performing arts center’s campaign total to $6,012,114, officials with the Alliance for the Arts announced Tuesday.

“It’s incredible,” said Dick Johnson, alliance executive director. “We’ve never made so much in such a short amount of time.”

Johnson attributed the unprecedented increase to programming brochures published this month and a recent decision by the City Council to give donors a voice in governing the 1,800-seat auditorium and 400-seat theater.

“People have been able to see the quality of entertainment,” Johnson said. “They’ve really started to see how important and significant this facility is going to be and are going to be a part of it.”

Organizers hope to raise $7 million in cash and pledges by the center’s grand opening in October, and a total of $10 million by April. The endowment fund will support operations and programming for the new center.

New members of the Founders Circle who donated $50,000 or more include John Notter, who donated $150,000; the Richard Gilleland family, which gave $100,000, and Gary L. Wetter, who gave $100,000.

Also, Southern California Edison, PTS Furniture, Geri and Bob Crystal, Marilyn and Al Adam, Robyn and Scott Bleakley, Rosemary and Charles Licata, Sandra and John Moyen and Karla and Gary Nesen all donated $50,000.

Johnson said the new founders are responsible for $750,000 of the $1-million boost in revenue. The remaining $250,000 was generated through smaller fund-raising programs sponsored by the alliance.