The Center for the Arts at George Mason University’s Fairfax, Virginia, campus has long been a platform for not only its students to shine but for connecting the community to the arts, with a wide range of programming including shows for family audiences.
Now, heading into National Arts in Education Week the second week of September, a recent gift from The Peterson Family Foundation bolsters a capital initiative to further address the needs of artists, audiences, students and faculty of the university’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Announced during a special event at their home in support of the college’s annual benefit ARTS by George, Jon and Carolyn Peterson’s $5 million gift supports the renaming and modernization of the center’s Concert Hall Auditorium.
“Their generosity will have an incredible impact on the arts community, elevating the possibilities for our student musicians, dramatic artists, dancers and vocalists—as well as for those who work behind the scenes to learn and understand the business of creating powerful performances,” says Dean Rick Davis in a news release.
Built more than three decades ago, the Center for the Arts auditorium has supported the work of George Mason students who have gone on to pursue careers in Broadway. A proud spectator to exclusive artistic talent, the auditorium has also hosted GRAMMY, Emmy, Tony and Academy Award -winning artists, along with U.S Presidents.
“This gift is significant because we know it will provide our excellent students, world-class visiting artists and the community of art lovers with a stellar Center for the Arts auditorium in which to share and experience the arts. We are honored to help move this initiative forward,” Carolyn Peterson says in the release.
The Petersons’ gift hits two developmental birds with one stone, also contributing to Mason Now: Power the Possible, George Mason’s $1 billion comprehensive fundraising initiative to support student success, research, innovation, community and stewardship.
Project costs and a timeline for the Center for the Arts capital initiative were yet to be announced as of press time. The center will also be renamed upon completion of its renovation with a $10 million gift from Barry Dewberry and Arlene Evans.
