HOUGHTON-The Kresge Foundation has provided a $300,000 challenge grant to Michigan Technological University to support MTU's Performing Arts Center. The Michigan Tech Fund will use the grant as part of its Charter Chairs Campaign to complete the funding for the building, according to Kimera Maxwell, executive director of the Fund. To date, the Fund has attracted $19.3 million of the total $20 million cost.
The University must complete the funding of the facility by June 1, 1998, to receive the Kresge grant.
Through the Charter Chairs Campaign, a $10,000 gift sponsors a chair in the performance hall. Charter sponsors will have a name plate mounted on one of the chairs and be recognized on a permanent plaque in the hall. The campaign runs through May 22, 1998, the date of the groundbreaking for the Performing Arts Center.
"This is the prospective donor's last chance to 'name' a Charter Chair," said Maxwell. "After the groundbreaking, the list of Charter Chairs will be complete. Chairs are named for a $10,000 gift, which can be paid over a five-year period. We are also looking for other gifts of any size."
The Michigan Tech Fund has nearly completed the $20 million funding for the new facility. The Performing Arts Center will include a 1,200-seat performance hall, vocal and instrumental rehearsal rooms, and related facilities for the University's fine arts and cultural enrichment departments.
The Kresge Foundation is an independent, private foundation created by the personal gifts of Sebastian S. Kresge. The Foundation awards grants for construction or renovation of facilities and the purchase of major capital equipment or real estate.
The Kresge Foundation also provided the funds for MTU to complete the renovation of the Walker Arts and Humanities Center in 1985.