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Letter to the Editor: $1 MILLION ENDOWMENT WILL HELP THEATER ARTS


Editor, Time-Advocate

The purpose of this letter is two-fold: one, to share my experience with the California Center for the Arts Foundation, which manages the California Center for the Arts and two, to share an exciting new initiative. 

My first connection with the Center for the Arts was in 2001 when a client wanted to make an endowed contribution to the Foundation as she understood that any contribution to the endowment for the Foundation would reduce a loan to the Foundation on the city’s books. The idea behind the endowment was to help ensure that the Foundation would continue to bring art in many forms to the community. 

In 2010, I was asked to attend a meeting with City and Foundation because the Foundation was in serious financial difficulty. The purpose was to see if the funds that were contributed to Endowment (which is a separate entity, a Charitable Trust) to ensure the future of the Foundation. 

Shortly thereafter, I became a member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation and served on the board until 2017. I am very proud of the accomplishments of the Foundation both during my time on the board and since then. The Foundation is the organization pursuant to an agreement with the City of Escondido whose job it was to use the City buildings to bring art in all forms to the community. It has done that. 

The Foundation undertook an education program with Escondido schools. It managed a Strings Program providing free violin lessons for third graders and what a joy it was to attend the final recital in the Center Theater. The Education department sponsored a Smart Festival each school year, provided opportunities for educators to obtain art instruction and supplies, provided master classes with well-known performers of all kinds, brought children in for special school day performances, and has participated in internship programs and provided a student art wall for budding artists to show their works during every museum presentation. 

With the help of the Charitable Trust (Endowment) it was able to bring back a profitable performing arts season including all genres on artists, from classical, country, pop, comedy and international musicians. The Foundation provided many free community events, Dias de los Muertos, Jazz Jam, Military bands, Musica in la Plaza, Holiday Light Festival, and of course the Fourth of July Celebration with the City.

The Foundation opened the museum to three or more exhibits a year ranging from plein artists to hub caps. 

The Foundation’s latest effort is to create a theatrical department to produce high quality musical productions. This department has done that, beginning with the drive-in theaters during COVID, and cabarets which are always sold out. Their most recent productions have received great reviews. But the best is yet to come. The Foundation is continually searching for avenues in which to fully serve the community with exposure to the arts and the resulting positive benefits. The Union Tribune printed an article just this week on how to use music and arts to uplift homeless youth. 

I am also a member of the Board of the David T. and Dorris E. Staples Foundation, founded by a woman from Fallbrook, and we recently decided to give a million dollar endowment through the Trust to the Foundation to be used for two purposes – to establish a Theatrical Conservatory by creating significant opportunities to educate, engage and elevate aspiring Arts Professionals of all facets of theater productions – no matter their socio-economic status – through classes, internships, and participation in an original production; and to underwrite that Original Production to give these Conservatory professionals the opportunity to see a production from the beginning idea to the performance.

The David T. and Dorris E. Staples Foundation has been a long-time supporter. Why? Because we have seen the determination and persistence and growth of the Foundation and its true dedication to bring all art forms to the community. We like that and we appreciate the City’s devotion to also bringing all art forms to the community by providing City facilities and encouragement to and the partnership with the Foundation. Could either partner provide the community with art, alone? Perhaps but why when together we have a winning combination.

BARBARA FISCHER, Escondido

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