The Opera Center
The Opera Center, a 16,000 ft2 building at 708 Magazine St. in Louisville, KY has been renovated to serve as community hub ushering in a new, innovative era for the 70-year-old arts institution.
For 70 years, Kentucky Opera has enriched the cultural and artistic ecosystem of our entire region. Designated the State Opera of Kentucky in 1982, Kentucky Opera sets deep roots in Louisville and extends its reach throughout the entire Commonwealth and Southern Indiana, serving tens of thousands of individuals each season at the Brown Theatre, in schools, libraries, faith-based communities, and assisted living facilities spanning the entire region.
Kentucky Opera also supports the broader artistic and creative community, partnering with Louisville Orchestra, Louisville Ballet, Bourbon Baroque, Actors Theatre, and many others. We employ and contract local and regional singers, actors, and local design artists. Kentucky Opera regularly hires performers from Kentucky’s university system and private colleges, investing deeply in building a rich and diverse new generation of working artists. We employ local scenic and costume artisans regularly to build elements for our shows, and in partnership with Kentucky Performing Arts, we utilize stage crews from the Local 17, supporting a robust industry and living wage jobs for our local theatrical technicians, electricians, carpenters, and stagehands.
Kentucky Opera is a pillar of our community, contributing to both civic life and our regional economy. The Opera Center will anchor all of Kentucky Opera’s activities, increasing our service from the Brown Theatre to Bowling Green, deepening our reach into diverse and historically underserved communities, and offering more inroads to music and theatre for our entire community.
Kentucky Opera’s new Opera Center is a shared civic resource: a place to laugh, play, sing, celebrate, and grow – together. The timing of the Opera Center couldn’t come at a better time, as we emerged from lockdown in our homes, more than ever we know and feel the importance of community, of gathering. From grand galas to school-break camps, civic services to small-scale performances, Kentucky Opera’s new home will play a deliberate role in the reopening of downtown Louisville.
As Kentucky Opera expands its programming it will bring a refreshed vitality with after-school programs for dozens of children and teens, educators gathering to discover and share new ways of reaching more students by incorporating the arts into their curricula, lunchtime concerts for the downtown workforce, and many other programs and events to inspire and enrich our community.
Exclusive naming opportunities
Opera Center: $1,000,000
The Opera Center will create a vibrant environment with artful discovery and expression for everyone. This community resource will also be a civic space that allows for robust partnerships with other non-profit organizations, an explicit symbol of Kentucky Opera’s mission to make opera accessible and relevant for everyone in our community. Donor recognition of this ten-year commitment will appear prominently at the externally branded entrance of the 16,2000 ft2 Opera Center and in promotions for all public events taking place at the Opera Center. Additional recognition will appear in the OperaBill, Kentucky Opera’s printed program for its opera performances.
Rehearsal & Community Hall: $500,000
In addition to regular, mainstage rehearsals, this 6,200 ft2 space will welcome thousands of opera patrons, community organizations, youth, and visitors to engage with opera in over 150 events per year, providing accessible and barrier-free arts opportunites for all! Donor recognition of this ten-year commitment will appear in a prominent plaque on the entrance of the Community Hall, and in promotions for public events taking place in the Community Hall. Additional recognition will appear in the OperaBill, Kentucky Opera’s printed program for its opera performances.
Artists’ Parlor: $30,000
As artists prepare to step out into the performance studio, they will relax and rejuvenate in the adjoining lounge. This room is shared with the Plumb-Boyer Library, which will also house intimate gatherings from time to time. Donor recognition for the full length of Kentucky Opera’s initial ten-year lease will appear in a prominent plaque on the wall of the Artists’ Parlor.
Board and Conference Room: $20,000
This 120 ft2 space will host community gatherings, voice lessons, board and staff meetings, and coachings. Donor recognition for the full length of Kentucky Opera’s initial ten-year lease will appear in a prominent plaque on the entrance of the Board Room.
Additional recognition opportunities
Upright Studio Piano: $15,000
(Two opportunities)
This 120 ft2 space will host community gatherings, voice lessons, board and staff meetings, and coachings. Donor recognition for the full length of Kentucky Opera’s initial ten-year lease will appear in a prominent plaque on the entrance of the Board Room.
Ticket Counter: $10,000
Kentucky Opera sells over 10,000 tickets per year to performances and events. This new location will offer easy and convenient access to pick up and purchase tickets with the assistance of our helpful patron services team. Donor recognition for the full length of Kentucky Opera’s initial ten-year lease will appear in a prominent plaque at the the ticket counter window.
Staff Break Room: $5,000
Donor recognition for the full length of Kentucky Opera’s initial ten-year lease will appear in a prominent plaque at the entrance of the Artist and Staff Break Room.
Costume Laundering & Repair Facility: $3,000
After each and every rehearsal and performance, costumes are checked, laundered, and repaired as necessary. Your gift will be acknowledged on a plaque at the entrance to the costume workshop.
Private Offices: $5,000
(One opportunity remaining)
Your gift to sponsor a private office will be acknowledged on a plaque on the wall at the entrance to the office.
Opera Center Donor Wall: $2,000
Be featured with your name alongside your peers at the Opera Center. All campaign supporters who contribute $2,500 or more will be acknowledged on our gratitude wall at the entrance to the Opera Center.
Contact us today to discuss taking advantage of one of these opportunities.