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Lyric Opera of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Grants

2019 ( 1 month)
$1,000

Founded in 1954, the Lyric Opera is one of the nation’s premier opera companies, presenting several operas and one musical theater production each season. The organization is a member of Enrich Chicago, a collective of 31 arts and philanthropic organizations working to advance racial equity in the arts. With this award, Lyric Opera staff travels to Denver, Colorado, to participate in a conference session on humanizing racial equity work at the national Grantmakers in the Arts conference.

2017 (5 years)
$500,000

Founded in 1954, the Lyric Opera is one of the nation’s premier opera companies, presenting several operas and one musical theater production each season. The Lyric is an innovator in the field, commissioning works with timely and cross-cultural themes in order to attract new audiences. The Lyric’s mix of classical and modern operas draws nearly 250,000 ticket purchasers each year. In order to cultivate the next generation of performers, the Lyric provides one- to three-year training residencies for talented young singers and musicians. In addition to theatrical performance, the Lyric engages with Chicago Public School students and offers an array of programs throughout the city. This award recommends renewed general operating support to the Lyric Opera.

2012 (5 years)
$500,000

This grant provides renewed multi-year general operating support to the Lyric Opera of Chicago, which is committed to nurturing an appreciation of opera, music and the performing arts by presenting high-caliber performances and providing educational and community-based arts programming. Each season almost 250,000 people attend one of Lyric’s eight season productions. The Lyric contributes to developing the next generation of opera singers through the Ryan Opera Center, one of America’s most distinguished vocal training programs. More than 135,000 Chicagoans participate in its Education and Community Engagement Programs each season.

2007 (5 years)
$500,000

In support of general operations (over five years).

2003 (4 years)
$320,000

In support of general operations (over four years).

2002 (4 years)
$1,000,000

In support of an endowment campaign (over four years).

2001 (2 years)
$60,000

In support of general operations (over two years).

1999 (1 year)
$30,000

In support of general operations.

1996 (3 years)
$90,000

In support of general operations (over three years).

1994 (1 year)
$200,000

To commission "Amistad," an opera composed by Anthony Davis, with a libretto by Thulani Davis.

1994 (1 year)
$5,000

To support a special performance of the opera "Aida" for senior citizens.

1993 (3 years)
$90,000

In support of general operations (over three years).

1991 (1 year)
$150,000

In support of general operations (over two years).

1988 (2 years)
$225,000

In support of general operations (over three years).

1988 (1 year)
$25,000

To support the national telecast on PBS of "Madama Butterfly."

1986 (1 year 1 month)
$150,000

In support of general operations (over two years).

1985 (2 years 3 months)
$2,000,000

To support the Great Opera Fund.

1984 (1 year)
$150,000

In support of general operations (over two years).

1983 (1 year)
$75,000

In support of general operations.

1982 (1 year)
$75,000

In support of general operations.

1981 (1 year)
$50,000

In support of general operations.

1980 (1 year)
$25,000

In support of general operations.

1979 (1 year)
$25,000

In support of general operations.