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BFA announces funding goal, annual dinner
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Productions such as "Tea for Three" with Emmy-winning actress Elaine Bromka (above) regularly entertain audiences at CityStage and Symphony Hall. Reminder Publications submitted photo
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By Debbie Gardner
PRIME Editor
SPRINGFIELD Would you want to live in an area without cultural attractions one that didn't offer your family access to a nearby museum, performance space, orchestra or theater group, or public radio or TV station ?
Neither would many of the talented individuals who choose to make their homes in the area, or who relocate to greater Springfield to accept jobs at corporations such as MassMutual, Baystate Health Systems and Hasbro/Milton Bradley.
But cultural enticements venues such as CityStage and Symphony Hall, the Springfield Art, Science and Historical Museums, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and WGBY Public Television take funding beyond pledges and ticket revenues to maintain.
And increasingly, state and city support of the arts is just not adequate to fill that void
That's where, for the past 27 years, a local civic organization comprised of 20 area business leaders called the Business Friends of the Arts (BFA), has stepped in.
$700,000 goal in 2005
On Sept. 8, the BFA announced its fund-raising goals for 2005 during a press conference on the steps of the recently-refurrished Springfield Symphony Hall.
The group is committed to raising over $700,000 to supplement funding at CityStage, the Symphony, the Museums and WGBY. It will also continue fund-raising for capital improvements at these venues.
The BFA's 2004 campaign raised a total of over $1 million in support and capital improvement funding for the four arts organizations.
"The purpose [of the BFA is] to help ensure that the arts organizations will continue to prosper because they contribute so much to the quality of life and strengthen the well-being of our region," said Lyman Wood, Chairman of the BFA, in announcing the 2005 fund-raising goal.
"They are our city jewels, our region jewels," said Wood of CityStage, the Symphony, the Museums and WGBY. "They enlighten our lives, they educate us and our children, they make this area a great place to live and raise our children."
Specifically, the BFA plans to raise $400,000 in direct grants to support the arts community and the work of the BFA, and $300,000 in in-kind or advertising contributions, for a total of $700,000.
The non-profit group is also looking to continue its capital improvements campaign, which last year contributed $300,000 for improvements to Symphony Hall in 2004.
There was no specific figure set for the 2005 capital improvements campaign, but hopes are it will match last year's level.
"Corporations gave over $200,000 [to our capital improvements] campaign toward the renovation of the building you are standing in front of today," said Wood during the press conference. "That money was raised because the city couldn't afford to paint the walls, to buy new curtains, to fix up the badly damaged seats, and the other areas of this building."
He said the balance of the capital improvement funding for Symphony Hall came through individual contributions and Federal monies attained with the help of Congressman Richard Neal.
A growing need
According to Wood, since 1978 the BFA has raised more than $14 million for the four arts organizations they support.
"Obviously the city has had some problems and has had to cut back the funding for these art groups over the years," Wood said.
Following the press conference, Wood told Reminder Publications that city support for Symphony Hall and CityStage has gone from "$200,000 to $100,000 to zero," in recent years.
And he indicated that the work of the BFA has also become more challenging as area corporations especially banks have merged or moved their home offices out of the region.
"Where two [corporations] used to contribute, now you have one, and they don't give as large a contribution," Wood said. "And, when corporate headquaters move, they may not want to donate to this site."
Dinner a crucial fund-raiser
Wood said that a large portion of the BFA's fund-raising dollars last year the figure was $50,000 comes directly from the BFA's annual dinner, which this year will take place on Oct. 18 at the new MassMutual Convention Center.
"In fact it will be one of the first functions held there after the grand opening weekend," he said during the press announcement of the dinner.
This year's dinner will be sponsored by Comcast Cable Company.
"They deserve our deep appreciation for their generosity ... they are stepping forward this year as many other corporations have done in the past," Wood said.
Entertainment for the evening will be provided by the Springfield Orchestra Percussion Quartet. Tickets to the annual dinner are $100 per person.
For reservations call Stephanie or Erica at 788-7646.
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