In a downtown storefront space twinkling with lights, filled with big band music, and alive with projected video and facts about The Music Hall and its 100,000 patrons; filmmaker Ken Burns, Senator and Mrs. Judd Gregg, and 200-plus donors and supporters celebrated the announcement of The Music Hall’s Treasure the Future Capital Campaign, a once-in-a-generation fundraising effort that will bring a major cultural advancement to the region.

 

At the private event held Saturday evening, February 27, The Music Hall’s Executive Director Patricia Lynch said, “The goal of restoring, rehabilitating and transforming The Music Hall into a performing arts center for the 21st century is now in sight.” $9 million has already been raised toward the full needs of $13.5 million. Nearly eighty percent of the contributions have come from visionary individual donors, new and old friends of the historic theater, board and professional staff members.

 

Campaign Co-Chair Jameson French welcomed celebrants from a makeshift stage in the raw space, “The Music Hall’s Treasure the Future Campaign will secure the legacy of the historic theater while advancing its community and education programs, further stimulate the economy and creative culture of this remarkable region in New England. The Music Hall’s impact will be significantly greater as an arts and education center for the broadest community because of this campaign.”

Treasure the Future Campaign Brochure

Click read the Treasure the Future Campaign Brochure.

 

 

The major components of the Treasure the Future campaign:

• essential updating and modernization of backstage systems securing The Music Hall’s performance capability & safety;
• extension of the theater’s historic finishes into the upper lobby and modernization of the concession stand;
• upgrading of the building’s façade and windows and recreation of the original chandelier and olio curtain;
• the fit-up of the new Music Hall Center for Performing Arts & Education (the Loft) with and multi-use performance space/studio classroom;
• and the establishment of The Music Hall’s first-ever endowment.

 

“Early community support has been breathtaking thanks to visionary philanthropists. The Music Hall has been a key driver in the cultural and economic re-emergence of the Seacoast and our programs have been lauded for their innovation and reach, bringing the community unprecedented access to today’s leading authors and artists. The Music Hall brings the world to Portsmouth,” said Campaign Co-Chair Gail VanHoy Carolan.

 

Patricia Lynch brought context to the night and campaign’s importance to the community. “You are standing in the future Center for Performing Arts and Education, The Music Hall Loft. Here our work will be more transparent, our programs connecting children to the masters deepened and expanded, and our community partners and collaborations taken to new heights – this is a rising tide that lifts all boats.”

 

“The time is now for The Music Hall, for this community and the region. Without modernization of The Music Hall’s backstage, where we’re still working with 19th century equipment, and a thoughtful fit-up of this new space we cannot meet our audiences and community’s growing demands, nor keep pace with other, more modern theaters. The historic finishes in the theater are not yet complete, our façade is still dimmed with age. With our vision, passion and dedication, The Music Hall can and will become a jewel in the crown of New England’s culture and history and a sturdy economic engine supporting the community and the region for generations to come,” added Lynch.

 

Ken Burns, acclaimed filmmaker and Honorary Co-Chair of the campaign heralded The Music Hall’s plans, particularly the addition of the Center of Performing Arts and Education for its community impact. “I am here because I believe in The Music Hall and support its plans for advancement. In our too-often disconnected world, the arts bring us back to our essential selves. The Music Hall is a beacon here in upper New England. Through its generous and diverse set of experiences, The Music Hall connects audiences and communities with creativity, purpose, art and life”

 

Campaign Slideshow

Click to start/advance.