Member Spotlight on Whitaker Foundation

During the month of May, GIA’s photo banner features work and projects sponsored by the Whitaker Foundation. The St. Louis, Missouri based foundation began in 1975 upon the death of Mrs. Mae Whitaker. The Foundation is independent with governance provided by a self-perpetuating board. Grants are made to enhance lives through the arts and to preserve and encourage use of urban parks.

In 2010, the Whitaker Foundation made a five-year grant in support of an annual production of a new opera or one that is under performed and thus a risky box office venture to Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Among works to be produced was John Adams' The Death of Klinghoffer and a jazz opera from Terence Blanchard, which became Champion. For Champion, Opera Theatre of St. Louis brought Jazz St. Louis in as a partner.

The partnership with Opera Theatre of St. Louis was overwhelmingly successful. For The Death of Klinghoffer, the company was dedicated not only to a beautiful opera production, but also to using art as a point of understanding for the community. An outreach committee was formed with people from various religious traditions, most of whom did not have a connection to the opera. For Champion, there was the creation of its Engagement and Inclusion Task Force which convened individuals strongly focused on cultural inclusion from audiences of diverse ethnic backgrounds including members of the LGBT community. Both operas were controversial but well received due to the strategic planning.

To celebrate the Blanchard opera, the Foundation presented Blanchard's five member band in two of the free outdoor park concert series it sponsors each year giving another 15,000 people a chance to hear his work. The audience included 43% of single ticket buyers new to the company. Champion will be staged in San Francisco in 2016 and in 2017 on the East Coast.

Saying that when presented with an artistic team such as that associated with Opera Theatre of St. Louis it is important to invest further, the Whitaker Foundation recently announced another five year grant of $750,000 for support of new work and new productions of modern work.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis runs May 27 through June 28, 2015.

Learn more about the Whitaker Foundation and their grant programs.

You can also see all the images on our Photo Credits page.

Whitaker Foundation has been a GIA member since 2007.