The Board of Trustees of the Stranahan Supporting Organization of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation has approved a grant to Toledo Opera in the amount of $47,500.
The Stranahan Supporting Organization grant will be used to support growth in two main areas. First, Toledo Opera will increase participation in its suite of low-cost and free youth educational programs: An Opera Is a Story (preschool), Opera On Wheels (kindergarten – grade 6), and Student Night at the Opera (middle school – college students).
“For almost the entirety of our existence, Toledo Opera has invested resources each year in educating the next generation of opera talent and fans, contributing to Toledo’s cultural growth and sophistication,” shared Toledo Opera Executive Director, Suzanne Rorick. “The future of opera in America goes beyond stages and performances. To survive, companies like ours need to connect with young audiences where they are, inspiring passion in their own stories.”
With SSO funding, Toledo Opera will introduce live opera to more than 20,000 students in 60 schools throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, with a goal of delivering free programming to every school in the Toledo Public School district.
In addition, Stranahan Supporting Organization grant funds will be allocated to help Toledo Opera cultivate new audience membership through Opera Outdoors – a free, pop-up concert series. SSO grant funding will be pivotal in bringing live opera into marginalized communities and neighborhoods where accessing world-class cultural arts performances is otherwise limited by income, transportation, and other socioeconomic/cultural barriers.
“To secure the future of Toledo Opera, we must embrace the symphony of diversity in our audiences,” said Rorick. “In harmonizing with varied voices and perspectives, we not only enrich the experience but ensure that opera’s timeless melodies resonate across generations and cultures.”
About Greater Toledo Community Foundation: Greater Toledo Community Foundation is a public charitable organization created by citizens of our community to enrich the quality of life for individuals and families in our area. In existence since 1973, the Foundation has more than 970 individual current funds with assets of approximately $406 million. The Foundation provides philanthropic services for individuals, families, businesses, and corporations to meet their charitable giving needs.
For more information on the Foundation, visit the organization’s website at www.toledocf.org or follow them on Facebook or LinkedIn. To learn about Toledo Opera, please visit toledoopera.org. For media access, please contact Rachael Cammarn at rcammarn@toledoopera.org.
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