EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University Federal Credit Union has presented a $2.5 million gift to MSU's Wharton Center for Performing Arts to fund the new Institute for Arts and Creativity and continue its support of the Broadway series.
"Excellence is something we strive for in our service and something we look for when considering an organization for support. This will be a resource not only for the faculty and students at MSU, it will also encompass the entire state and beyond. MSU Federal Credit Union is proud to support these efforts," said MSU FCU President/CEO Pat McPharlin. MSU FCU has $1.5 billion in assets.
The new MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts and Creativity at Wharton Center will provide participatory learning programs both at Wharton Center and throughout the state for audiences of all ages. The institute will serve as an umbrella for existing education programs, including the Act One School and Family Series, Jazz Kats–Jazz For Kids and the Young Play-wrights Festival, that integrate the performing arts into K-12 curriculum for more than 30,000 children each year.
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Additional initiatives will include a collaborative program of artist residencies that will serve as the cornerstone of the new institute. During a multiday stay on campus and in the community, an artist-in-residence will share his or her expertise and insights during close interaction with participants. Pro-grams often include lecture demonstrations, master classes, career development discussions and opportunities for one-on-one and group mentoring.
As part of the first major enhancement to the Wharton Center in 25 years, the physical spaces will include state-of-the-art technology necessary for long-distance learning broadcasts, providing thousands of children the opportunity to participate in arts education initiatives.
"The concept of the new institute is more than a four-wall classroom," said Mike Brand, Wharton Center executive director. "In addition to our stages and public spaces, classrooms throughout campus and around the state will be utilized for institute programs. State-of-the-art technology will also allow us to broadcast our programs into classrooms throughout the state."
MSU FCU's donation is the lead gift in Wharton Center's capital campaign to raise $11 million. To date, $6.5 million has been raised.
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