The Florida Center for Performing Arts and Education Building a Stage… for our Future
Greetings As 2009 draws to a close, I want to thank you for your interest and past support of The Florida Center for Performing Arts and Education and ask you to consider including The Florida Center in your year-end charitable giving.
Despite the economic downturn, 2009 has been a year of exciting progress toward our mission of developing a performing arts center in Tallahassee, and the New Year already looks promising. We look forward to sharing more about our accomplishments, including the introduction of our new Board Members and the announcement of a recent $100,000 gift, in the January edition of The Spotlight e-newsletter.
Today, I want to assure you that we remain committed to our mission and to the success of the Building the Stage for Our Future capital campaign, neither of which is achievable without your support. While the difficult economic environment has made the pursuit of our goals more challenging, it is most certainly temporary, and the creation of The Florida Center is a long-term project that requires years of planning, development and fundraising. In order to be successful, we must move forward now.
You may be surprised to learn that The Florida Center shares similarities with another costly project of great cultural and architectural significance that was developed and built during a time of extreme economic hardship–the Empire State Building.
Many do not realize that the Empire State Building was constructed during the Great Depression where it remains a living monument to that era and the city it so proudly illuminates. At the time it was built, the Empire State Building was the center of a competition between Walter Chrysler, of the Chrysler Corporation, and John Raskob, creator of General Motors, to see who could build the tallest building first. And it was no small wager. In 1928, Raskob organized a group of visionary investors who remained optimistic about the nation’s future and refused to be discouraged by the estimated cost of $40 million. Despite the widespread suffering of the Depression, Raskob and his investors kept their sights high and persevered. In 1931, President Herbert Hoover pressed a button in Washington, D.C., to turn on the lights and officially open the 102-floor building. The Empire State Building held the record for being the largest skyscraper in the world for 40 years, has starred in over 90 movies, and remains one of New York City’s most popular tourist attractions, as well as a testament to the foresight, determination and indomitable spirit of the investors who built it.
To those who say Tallahassee is not New York, you are indeed correct. However, like those who built the Empire State Building, we believe in a brighter tomorrow and in a future for our community that will be made brighter still – for the arts and entertainment, education, and economic development – by The Florida Center. But we must work toward that future now, and we must have the continued support of you, our investors, to succeed.
Unlike the Empire State Building, whose location was initially thought to be less than ideal, we have identified the perfect location for The Florida Center, known as the Johns Site. In order to secure this location, we must raise $5 million in private commitments by July 1, 2010. With $1.5 million raised to date, we need your help.
Invest in a brighter future today. Go to our website (TheFLCenter.org) now to make a tax-deductible gift online or to donate Gifts Of Membership for family and friends. If you prefer, checks can be mailed to our address below.
Believe in the Future. Invest in the Future. Join us in Building the Stage… for Our Future.
Thank you and Happy Holidays! Kim Williams Vice President and Campaign Chair
For more information or assistance, contact Jean Frey, Campaign Executive Director at jean.frey@theflcenter.org or 850.508.3039. The Florida Center for Performing Arts and Education, Inc. Post Office Box 20012, Tallahassee, Florida 32316-0012
THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND EDUCATION, INC. IS A REGISTERED ORGANIZATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP FLA (800) 435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND EDUCATION, INC. REGISTRATION NUMBER: CH21709. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF DONATIONS WILL BE USED BY THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND EDUCATION, INC.