Cleveland, OH – The Campaign for the Idea Center at Playhouse Square has received a major gift of $1 million established as an endowment by Mr. & Mrs. David Morgenthaler at The Cleveland Foundation. Income produced from this generous endowment gift will provide support for arts education programs at the Idea Center and for expanding the reach of those programs through the use of broadcast and distance learning technology. The Idea Center was created through a unique partnership between WVIZ/PBS and 90.3 WCPN ideastream and Playhouse Square Foundation.
“We are grateful to receive this very significant endowment from Mr. and Mrs. Morgenthaler,” noted Art J. Falco, Playhouse Square Foundation president and CEO. “They have been and continue to be visionary community leaders and we appreciate their recognition of the value of the Idea Center and their commitment to its success.”
“The Morgenthaler’s gift, endorsing the programs and services that ideastream and Playhouse Square Foundation provide to the citizens of Northeast Ohio, is extremely gratifying,” said Jerry Wareham, president and CEO of ideastream. “Through their support, many citizens of the region will have access to arts and cultural offerings and related education programs that might otherwise not.”
David and Lindsay Morgenthaler, residents of Lakewood, are long-time supporters of the arts in Northeast Ohio. Mrs. Morgenthaler is an Emeritus Trustee of both ideastream and Playhouse Square Foundation, and she has played an active role as a trustee for many other community organizations. In addition, she was the Chairman of the successful campaign for the restoration of the Allen Theatre. Mr. Morgenthaler is the founder of Morgenthaler Ventures and has been recognized internationally for his leadership role in establishing the legitimacy and potential of the venture capital industry.
David Morgenthaler said, “This gift reflects both Lindsay’s longtime dedication to ideastream and Playhouse Square Foundation, which we believe are well-run organizations that are of great value to this region, and our strong interest in education and regional economic development.”
With this gift, pledges to the Campaign for the Idea Center now total $25.9 million toward the $27.4 million goal established for this joint fundraising effort undertaken by ideastream and Playhouse Square Foundation.
Open since September 2005, the Idea Center has become a vibrant center of activity including the broadcast operations and education services of ideastream and Playhouse Square Foundation arts education programs. Tenants including URS, SchoolOne.com LCC, ASM International, Entara Technology Group LLC and Jurinnov Ltd., are also occupying or have begun leasing other space within the building located in the heart of Cleveland’s downtown cultural district.
The facility is becoming a model of creative connectivity where digital media (radio, television and the internet) is used to create and distribute content, including news, information, educational services, and arts and cultural programming. |
