The Campaign for Idea Center recently received $3 million from Westfield Insurance, the most generous gift to date.
According to Robert J. Joyce, chairman and CEO of Westfield Group, the company made its substantial pledge to the Idea Center campaign to “create opportunities for education and learning… providing teachers and children with access to new programs, technology and performances.”
“We are excited to support this innovative project and establish a presence within the Idea Center,” Mr. Joyce said.
Westfield is a leading insurance, banking and related financial services group of businesses. The company, founded in 1848, is headquartered in Westfield Center, Ohio and is the largest employer in Medina County.
In recognition of the gift, WVIZ/PBS and 90.3 WCPN ideastream and Playhouse Square Foundation will name the Idea Center 300-seat performance and production studio “Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre.”
“This is a remarkable endorsement from one of the area’s most respected companies,” Jerry Wareham, president and CEO of WVIZ/PBS and 90.3 WCPN ideastream said. “It is a significant commitment to the arts, education, and public broadcasting that will deliver long lasting positive outcomes for this community.”
“We could not be more grateful for this very generous gift from Westfield Insurance ,” noted Art J. Falco, Playhouse Square Foundation president and CEO, “and we appreciate their belief in the project, in the partnership between Playhouse Square Foundation and ideastream and in the impact that the programming offered at the Idea Center will have on Northeast Ohio and beyond.”
The Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre will be used to produce and present television and radio programming, theater performances, meetings, workshops and classes.
Among other special events and activities to be produced in the Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre, the Playhouse Square Foundation Arts Education department will present its dynamic series of performing arts classes, and its popular “Broadway Buzz” programs. In early November, performances of Desert Travels: Tales from the Middle East have also been scheduled. WVIZ and WCPN will produce TV and radio programs in the Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre including those involving studio audiences (like a recent Around Noon program featuring Franz Welser-Most of the Cleveland Orchestra), and the education services special series What’s Your (Math) Problem, a game show where students compete and have fun while improving their math skills.
A complete schedules of events produced and presented in Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre will soon be available through the Playhouse Square and ideastream websites.
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A recent Playhouse Square Foundation arts education residency of Japanese drumming, the Slam U, poetry slam workshops, and the 90.3 WCPN Around Noon radio program, and WVIZ education services “What’s Your (Math) Problem” gameshow are typical of the events and activities to be produced and presented in the newly named Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre.
Kiara Blake Performs at Slam U!
Evita Master Class
Theater Explorers Boot Camp
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