ART MATTERS VIRTUAL BENEFIT

May 5, 2020

Dear Friends,

Thank you for being a part of our 2020 Art Matters Virtual Benefit on Saturday night.

From our students’ incredible performances, to honoring Chicago arts icon Sarah Solotaroff Mirkin, to Justin Tranter’s surprise text cameo at the end of the night, it was an event that we’ll never forget!

We know you’re eager to watch the performances again, so click here to see the program from Saturday. In it you’ll find links to each of the performances and videos. Enjoy! (We’ll be sharing a video of the entire event later this week.)

The Academy relies on nearly $1 million in gifts each year to bridge the gap between tuition revenue and operating costs, and our annual gala — obviously canceled this year — typically accounts for nearly half of that. Eager to help in these uncertain times, Trustee Patty Hunt and her husband Ken generously offered to match others’ donations that evening, up to $150,000. This display of leadership and support inspired our community to give, and we raised more than $360,000 — exceeding our goal — thanks to donors like you and Patty and Ken. Thank you Patty and Ken for your extraordinary support.

The success of an event of this magnitude and complexity — especially in the context of an international crisis — relies heavily on a small army of tirelessly committed people. We’re deeply thankful to our Art Matters Virtual Benefit co-chairs Nora Fleming and Marina Claudio, the entire Virtual Benefit committee, our Board of Trustees (including Trustee Carlos Claudio for his amazing pre- and post-show DJ mix!), our faculty and staff (including our heroic Benefit production crew), our students, families, volunteers, and YOU: our loyal donors, supporters, allies, and friends. The Academy changes lives every single day, and it wouldn’t be possible without you.

With much gratitude,

Jason Patera
Head of School

P.S. It’s not too late to contribute to the 2020 Art Matters Virtual Benefit: click here to be a part of a night we’ll remember forever!

Gala Co-Chairs

Nora Fleming
Marina Claudio

Honoring

Sarah Solotaroff Mirkin
Former Vice-President for Programs at the Chicago Community Trust,
Founding Member of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance,
and Friend of The Chicago Academy for the Arts

2020 Art Matters Gala Committee

Maryka Baraka
Marina Claudio*
Kelly Finnerty
Nora Fleming*
Valerie Gross
Tamara and Greg Jazwinski
Stacy Straub
Brody White

*Art Matters Gala Co-Chairs

Thank you to our 2020 Art Matters Community Engagement Partner

Thank you to our Sponsors

Director Circle

Emily Barr & Scott Kane
Dan J. Epstein, Judy Guitelman and the Dan J. Epstein Family Foundation 

Producer Circle

Finnerty Family and Friends

Composer Circle

BrEpic Communications

CIBC Private Wealth Management
Pam Crutchfield, Krista Linn, and Dominique Leonardi
Stephanie and Adam Grais
Sharon and Todd Walbert
SPR Consulting