Tue. December 7, 2004
Chicago, IL -
Chicago's Victory Gardens Theater is proud to announce it has received a $300,000 grant from The Kresge Foundation, one of the nation's most prestigious private foundations, in support of its new capital campaign Expanding Horizons: Creating an American Center for New Plays.
The Expanding Horizons campaign is the fundraising effort now underway to support Victory Gardens' purchase and renovation of the historic Biograph Theater, located at 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue. Renovations begin later this month to the nationally-landmarked movie house, which Victory Gardens will reopen in Fall 2005 as a $9 million, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the enjoyment of live theater.
Robert Alpaugh, Director of Institutional Advancement, Victory Gardens Theater, said "Victory Gardens is grateful to The Kresge Foundation. This contribution from such a prestigious foundation is a strong show of national support for live theater, particularly one in Chicago with ambitious plans to revive a restore an historic landmark, and transform it into an American Center for New Plays."
Grants from The Kresge Foundation are made towards projects involving construction or renovation of facilities and the purchase of major capital equipment or real estate. Recipients have raised initial funds toward their respective projects before requesting Foundation assistance. Grants are then made on a challenge basis, requiring the raising of the remaining funds, thereby insuring completion of the projects. Grants are made to institutions operating in the areas of higher education, health and long-term care, arts and humanities, human services, science and the environment, and public affairs.
The Kresge Foundation, based in Troy, Michigan, is an independent, private foundation created by the personal gifts of Sebastian S. Kresge. It is not affiliated with any corporation or organization.
In addition to its new location at the Biograph, Victory Gardens Theater will keep its current location two blocks south at 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue, thus establishing a five-theater creative campus with an emphasis on new works for the American Stage.
To fund the Biograph project, Victory Gardens has launched a $15 million integrated fundraising and capital campaign titled Expanding Horizons:
Creating an American Center for New Plays. To learn more about the project and how you can help, contact the Victory Gardens Development office at (773) 549-5788 ext. 105, or send email to ralpaugh@victorygardens.org.
Victory Gardens Theater, recipient of the 2001 Tony Award for Regional Theater, is designated an Established Regional Arts Institution by the Illinois Arts Council (IAC), and is partially supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, a CityArts Program 3 Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. For more information, visit http://www.VictoryGardens.org.
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