OPERA America announces the second annual
National Opera Trustee Recognition Program. The purpose of the program is to honor opera company trustees for exemplary leadership, support, and audience building efforts on behalf of their respective opera companies within their communities across the U.S.
OPERA America’s commitment to recognizing excellence in governance stems from a core belief that the strength of an opera company, as with any non-profit organization, is directly linked to the quality of governance demonstrated by its board members. It is OPERA America’s belief that strong trustee commitment in the three key areas of
leadership,
support and
audience building is essential. The well-being of opera companies and, in effect, the communities in which they perform depends to a great extent on these three critically important areas.
Through OPERA America’s National Opera Trustee Recognition Program, standards of excellence in trusteeship will be promoted and the service of extraordinary trustees whose efforts help to ensure the health of opera companies and the art form’s availability for future generations will be celebrated.
Upcoming Awards
The 2009 National Opera Trustee Recognition Program honorees will be announced in November 2008.
All Professional Company Members are invited to participate in this unique recognition program by nominating from among their current boards, the one trustee who best exemplifies this commitment and leadership ideal. All nominations will be reviewed by a committee for the purpose of selecting the most outstanding candidates who will be honored at the Awards Dinner.
Save the Date: The Recognition Program Awards Event, including a reception, dinner,
award presentation and brief performance will take place in New York City on
Saturday, February 21, 2009.
For ticket information, contact José Rincón, Development Coordinator, OPERA America
212-796-8620, Ext. 208;
JRincon@operaamerica.org.
Previous Winners
The 2008 National Opera Trustee Recognition Program honorees:
[From left to right: Jane Robinson (Florida Grand Opera), G. Whitney Smith (Fort Worth Opera), Betty
W. Healey
(Opera Birmingham) and Sally Levy (Opera Theatre of Saint Louis). Photos by Jon Simon.]
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Jane Robinson – Florida Grand Opera
President of the Board of Directors of Florida Grand Opera for the past four years, Jane A. Robinson has devoted her efforts to strengthening the company’s board leadership amidst the challenging competition in Miami’s fast growing cultural climate. Under her leadership, the Opera celebrated its 65th Anniversary Season, followed by the Triumphal Weekend of events in October, 2006 when it launched its 66th Season at the new Carnival Center for the Performing Arts – beginning a new performance era for the Company in the superb 2,400-seat Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House.
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Sally Levy – Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Sally S. Levy has been an integral member of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis since the company’s founding in 1976. Ms. Levy’s vision and generosity have taken OTSL to a new level of professional development and artistic excellence. Her leadership gift for OTSL’s Building for Opera campaign launched the effort to build a new 25,000 square-foot facility to consolidate the company’s administrative, rehearsal and community outreach activities. The Sally S. Levy Opera Center opened in April 2006 and now serves as a model for other companies.
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G. Whitney Smith – Fort Worth Opera
Mr. G. Whitney Smith has served Fort Worth Opera in many leadership capacities since 1998, and is currently chair of the company’s strategic planning committee. During a period of extreme financial strain and low morale at the company, Mr. Smith assumed the presidency of the company’s board, streamlining the Executive Committee, reinvigorating the Board membership and cultivating relationships with major foundations and corporations. Mr. Smith’s leadership and vision played a crucial role in bringing Fort Worth Opera from the brink of financial ruin to the highly-regarded regional opera company it is today.
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Betty W. Healey – Opera Birmingham
In 1998, when Opera Birmingham was poised for the growth necessary to long-term stability, and the need for a professional arts administrator to serve as general director was recognized, Betty W. Healey stepped forward and challenged a friend to join her in funding the first year’s salary and benefits. With a general director in place, the company’s community profile soared, leading to increased ticket sales and contributed income. With more than thirty years' involvement with the company, including underwriting an entire production each year since 1998, Ms. Healey is Opera Birmingham’s single most generous donor. Without her support, “there would not be a professional opera company in Birmingham today,” says John D. Jones, General Director.
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OPERA America’s National Trustee Recognition Program
is generously sponsored by: