The Orpheum Theatre has announced that it received a donation from First Bank to further enhance the operations of the Orpheum and to help grow its future. First Bank has three full service banking locations in Galesburg and Knoxville IL.
"We look at charitable organizations that have a clear impact on the majority of the citizens in the community," said First Bank Market President Mark Blackburn. "With programs like Lights! Camera! Learn!, Arts for All, and the Red Carpet Series, the Orpheum is touching the lives of children and adults of all ages and will continue to do so for years to come."
"The Orpheum Theatre's average paid attendance is just over 15,000 and average total attendance (including free events or events ticketed by other organizations) at just over 20,000 per year" said Orpheum president, Kate Francis. "Americans for the Arts statistics show that theater goers spend an average of $28.26 per person (excluding price of admission) per event -- which translates to more than $565,000 on event-related spending in our community each year."
"Additionally, the Orpheum Theatre and her audiences account for a total economic impact of more than $1 million and supports approximately 27.6 FTE jobs - based on median statistics for communities with populations less than 50,000," continued Ms. Francis. "In addition to her cultural and artistic contributions, there's no doubting the Orpheum's economic impact for businesses and individuals alike. We're fortunate that the region's businesses, like First Bank, recognize this and continue to generously support Orpheum Theatre programs."
The Orpheum Theatre and the Galesburg Community Foundation teamed up last fall to establish the "Arts for All" program. The 2008-09 program will provide more than 350 tickets to socio-economically challenged individuals in the community who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford tickets to Red Carpet Series events.
Lights! Camera! Learn! is a free, fun educational program presented by the Orpheum Theatre with generous funding from Galesburg CUSD #205 Foundation and BNSF Railway Foundation. This Orpheum Theatre education outreach program will entertain more than 4,000 children in the 2008-09 academic year -- all at no cost to the student or their guardian.
The Red Carpet Series, celebrating its fourth season, brings nationally and internationally recognized talent to downtown Galesburg. The Spring 2009 Red Carpet Series includes the rescheduled date for Chicago City Limits February 21 sponsored by Bud Light, Frank Ferrante in An Evening with Groucho March 15 sponsored by Dick Blick, Our American Cousin presented by Monmouth College April 4 and 5, Branson's The Lowe Family for two performances April 17 sponsored by F&M Bank and OSF St. Mary Medical Center, and To Kill a Mockingbird May 6 sponsored by Tom Knapp Remax Realtors.
Tickets for the Spring Red Carpet Series are on sale now. Patrons who subscribe to four (4) or more shows receive 20% off. Subscribe to three (3) shows and receive 10% off. For more information on the 2009 Red Carpet Series or to purchase a subscription, gift certificate or single tickets call the Orpheum Theatre Box Office at (309) 342-2299 or visit the Orpheum Theatre website at www.theorpheum.org.
(Submitted Story and Photo)
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