The performance experience is only possible with an enthusiastic and attentive audience who engage with and respond to artists on the stage. Purchasing tickets is one of the most effective ways to support our work, but the cost of presenting artists of the caliber on our season is far greater than income from tickets, even when Memorial Hall is sold out. Ticket sales cover only 45% of the cost of performances and although the University will continue to fund facilities and overhead, financial self-sufficiency remains an urgent goal.

In 2005, the Trustees of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust challenged Carolina Performing Arts to raise $5 million to create an endowment. By the conclusion of the campaign at the end of 2007, members of the Society had given and pledged over $7 million toward that goal, earning the promised $5 million from the Trust. This important financial achievement is an important first step, but Carolina Performing Arts wants to continue to expand its offerings and search the world for prominent, innovative and exceptional artists to share with our Chapel Hill audiences. The need for support continues to be urgent.

Naming Opportunities
Naming opportunities are a wonderful way to honor yourself or a loved one. Seats in the Beasley-Curtis Auditorium at Memorial Hall can be named for $5,000 each. While over 800 seats have already been named, nearly 500 unnamed seats remain. There are also several opportunities to name spaces in the Hall. In addition, donors may wish to create permanent performance funds to support future artists at Carolina.

For more information, please contact Amy Clemmons at clemmons@email.unc.edu or at (919) 843-2231.