Ka-ching! CPAC rakes in cash

About a year ago, the Community Performing Arts Center Foundation got a challenge from a big potential donor.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation last November said that if the CPAC Foundation could raise $250,000 in donations by tomorrow, that is by Dec. 1, 2008, then Freeport-McMoRan would match the donation.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, CPAC Foundation exceeded all expectations by raising $277,926 to help complete Phase II of its arts center project, and so it has qualified to collect the matching grant from Freeport-McMoRan.

Phase II will be a 202-seat theater and recital hall, and also a rehearsal hall. There will be a lobby and reception area, theatrical dressing rooms, a scene shop and an art gallery.

According to CPAC Foundation Board Chairman Al Saterbak, most of the cost of this phase will be covered by a 2004 Pima County bond issue.

Freeport-McMoRan’s $250,000 grant to CPAC Foundation is part of a $4.7 million package of grants and gifts awarded in Arizona last year by Freeport-McMoRan, whose Sierrita mining operations are west of Green Valley.

Saterbak described the public’s response to the fundraising appeal as “nothing short of overwhelming.”

“I think it says a couple of things: first that the people of this community are truly generous, and second, that the Community Performing Arts Center is truly important to this community,” Saterbak said.

Tracy Bame, Freeport-McMoRan director of social responsibility and community development said that Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation “is pleased to contribute $250,000 to support the Community Performing Arts Center.”

“It is especially gratifying that the community rallied in response to this challenge grant even in this difficult economy,” Bame added. “Efforts such as this demonstrate that collaboration among community partners brings positive outcomes.”

CPAC was committed to raising $500,000 to provide furnishings and equipment for the auditorium, including a theatrical sound board and lighting systems, seating, and ongoing support for educational enrichment and entertainment.

“We are so grateful to Freeport McMoRan for their challenge grant,” Saterbak added. “When we asked them for help almost three years ago, we weren’t thinking about anything on this scale. But they had a bigger vision — a vision that has totally changed the Community Performing Arts Center Foundation. We were a small, struggling organization; now we are a real force for enhancing the quality of life in the upper Santa Cruz Valley.”

Saterbak noted that $37,000 of the $277,926 raised was in-kind donations, including in-kind advertising support from the Green Valley News & Sun and KGVY-Radio.

“The remarkable thing about this campaign is that, aside from the Green Valley News, KGVY, and Country Fair White Elephant, all the funds came from individuals within this community,” he added. “There was no big corporate donor who came in to put us over the top. It was the people of this community who stepped forward to make this happen.”

Jim Mack, CPAC Foundation executive director said that with the completion of Phase II, the CPAC Foundation will begin leasing the Performing Arts Center beginning Jan. 1, 2009.

“The Foundation will use the matching funds from Freeport-McMoRan to not only purchase the seating, lights, audio/visual equipment, personnel lift, liquor license and many other items necessary to manage an arts center of this caliber; but also to maintain the facilities as we will be without support from Pima County,” Mack said.

“These expenses include water, electricity, general repairs, landscaping and custodial. Further, some funds will be set aside for capital repairs as the energy systems are under warranty for two years only.”

Mack said he envisions the Community Performing Arts Center to be a “focal point of the performing and visual arts in Southern Arizona.”

“As the Foundation looks towards the future, we envision the Community Performing Arts Center as a hub for the region,” Mack said. “A lively place to meet with friends and family while enjoying the beautiful views and exceptional entertainment offered from the Center.”

Phase III will include the 500-seat main theater, a stage house, additional lobbies and the main art gallery. Financing for this phase is still under study.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740