The Marcus Corporation Foundation has pledged a $2.5 million matching gift to fund the second phase of the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s renovation.
The gift would fund a series of upgrades to the downtown Milwaukee performance venue, including sound enhancements, restroom updates, and additional points of sale for food and beverage.
The Marcus Center recently completed the first phase of its multi-year capital renovation plan – a $4 million project that included updates to Uihlein Hall and the outdoor grounds and the installation of livestream technology.
As part of the Marcus Corp. Foundation’s pledge, any new contribution provided to support phase 2 of the Marcus PAC’s renovations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the foundation, up to $2.5 million.
“The Marcus family’s partnership, advocacy, investment, and support of the Marcus Center is truly inspirational and has played a leading role in our success,” said Kendra Whitlock Ingram, president and CEO of the Marcus Center. “That commitment continues with this lead matching contribution, which will support our work to provide diverse, world-class performing arts experience to our community.”
The Marcus Center is named in recognition of Ben and Ceil Marcus for the legacy-naming contribution provided by The Marcus Corporation Foundation more than 25 years ago. The initial donation secured naming rights of the performing arts center and contributed to the renovation of interior spaces, addition to the Water Street entrance of the building and expansion of the building’s footprint to support a major expansion and renovation of the Marcus Center.
“We are proud to support Milwaukee’s premier destination for the performing arts,” said David Marcus, chairman of Marcus Corporation Foundation. “For decades, the Marcus Center has brought world-class performances to our community, helping make our downtown a destination for people throughout Wisconsin. It is essential that we continue to support the spaces and places that make our city great.”
The Marcus Center opened the doors to its newly renovated Uihlein Hall for performances in May for the first time in more than year, due to COVID-19. The hall has all new seating, including a new configuration that added two main aisles for better accessibility, and new carpet, flooring and paint.
The center will welcome supporters tonight for its 16th annual BASH fundraising gala, which will honor philanthropists Donald and Donna Baumgartner, who provided a lead $1 million gift for the first phase of the renovation project.
