TAPESTRY OPERA RECEIVES GRANT FROM OPERA AMERICA TO FUND 12 INDEPENDENT COMPANIES
Indie Opera T.O to use funds for innovative digital awareness campaign
Toronto, ON — Tapestry Opera is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant of $35,000 USD in the third year of OPERA America’s Building Opera Audiences grant program.
This program, made possible by the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, supports the efforts of North American opera companies to build informed, enthusiastic audiences for opera through innovative marketing projects. Tapestry Opera was granted funds to support 12 independent opera companies in Toronto through the budding Indie Opera T.O movement.
Tapestry Opera is one of nine organizations in the U.S. and Canada to receive funding totaling $300,000 USD. More than 50 applications totaling over $2.3 million in requests were received by OPERA America, demonstrating how vital audience development programs are to opera organizations today.
Tapestry Opera is committing its Building Opera Audiences grant to Indie Opera T.O, a network of 12 independent Toronto opera companies. Under the leadership of Tapestry Opera’s Artistic Director Michael Hidetoshi Mori, the group will be using the OPERA America grant to create a digital marketing campaign that will promote its member companies to a young, digitally savvy demographic—a model successfully pioneered by the New York Opera Alliance. Associated companies include Against the Grain Theatre, Opera 5, The Bicycle Opera Project, Essential Opera, Metro Youth Opera, Liederwölf, FAWN, Urbanvessel, Loose Tea Music Theatre, The Friends of Gravity and Opera After Hours, in addition to Tapestry Opera.
OPERA America, the field’s national nonprofit service organization, leads and serves the entire opera community, supporting the creation, presentation and enjoyment of opera. “As cultural and entertainment options continue to grow, opera companies face increased competition for audiences,” stated Marc A. Scorca, President/CEO of OPERA America. “The Building Opera Audiences grant program provides funding to experiment with innovative projects that help engage new and retain current audiences, ensuring that opera and opera companies continue to flourish.”
Each funded project will be documented and evaluated throughout its lifespan. The results will be shared with the opera field, so that other organizations can learn from and replicate projects in their communities.
“Tapestry is very excited to work with 11 other companies to expand opera audiences in Toronto,” said Michael Hidetoshi Mori, Artistic Director of Tapestry Opera. “The young leaders of these companies are already the most dynamic innovators in promotion and presentation on tight budgets, and this grant will offer new platforms for them to broaden their reach. On behalf of Indie Opera T.O and Tapestry Opera, I thank Marc Scorca and OPERA America for providing a collective resource that will allow us to communicate a fresh and revitalized image for opera in the 21st century.”
The complete list of organizations receiving Building Opera Audiences grants is: Florida Grand Opera (Miami, FL), Los Angeles Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera Memphis, Opera Saratoga, OperaLancaster, Portland Opera, Tapestry Opera (Toronto, ON) and Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (Salt Lake City, UT).
Recipients of Building Opera Audiences grants were selected by an independent panel of industry leaders, including Andrew Goldberg (Vice President of Marketing, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts), Kyle Sircus (Director of Marketing, Playwrights Horizons), Jacob Smith (Development and Marketing Director, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society) and Melanie Thibeault (consultant).
The Building Opera Audiences grant program is made possible through the generosity of the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation.
About Tapestry Opera
Tapestry Opera (tapestryopera.com) is a Toronto-based company that creates and produces from the heart of here and now. For 35 years, the company has presented award-winning works by preeminent artists, brought to life by some of the most talented and versatile performers of the contemporary stage. As Canada’s leader in opera development, Tapestry Opera is committed to cultivating new creators and performers to serve the evolution of the art form and build a lasting Canadian repertoire. Tapestry Opera alumni include Ann-Marie MacDonald, Atom Egoyan, James Rolfe, Marjorie Chan and Nic Gotham.
About Tapestry Opera M’dea Undone – May 26 to May 29, 2015
Experience mythology’s most controversial heroine in modern wartime context, set against the stunning industrial backdrop of Toronto’s reclaimed brick factory, Evergreen Brickworks. TAPESTRY OPERA presents a recreation of the classic myth in the world premiere of M’DEA UNDONE. Written by Dora Award-winning playwright Marjorie Chan and brought to life by the orchestral and electronic talent of Scottish composer John Harris, M’DEA UNDONE will receive its world premiere in Toronto for a limited engagement May 26-29, 2015.
About Indie Opera T.O
Indie Opera T.O is a network of dynamic young companies that are awakening a vibrant renaissance of opera in Toronto. Driven by a goal to support one another as advocates of innovative opera and chamber music experiences, member companies share resources and learnings, capturing the imagination of younger and digitally savvy audiences and building a new-generation opera scene. Indie Opera T.O is currently comprised of 12 autonomous companies, including Tapestry Opera, Against the Grain Theatre, Opera 5, The Bicycle Opera Project, Essential Opera, Metro Youth Opera, Liederwölf, FAWN, Urbanvessel, Loose Tea Music Theatre, The Friends of Gravity and Opera After Hours.
About OPERA America
OPERA America (operaamerica.org) leads and serves the entire opera community, supporting the creation, presentation and enjoyment of opera.
Artistic services help opera companies and creative and performing artists to improve the quality of productions and increase the creation and presentation of North American works.
Information, technical and administrative services to opera companies reflect the need for strengthened leadership among staff, trustees and volunteers.
Education, audience development and community services are designed to enhance all forms of opera appreciation.
Founded in 1970, OPERA America’s worldwide membership network includes nearly 200 Company Members, 300 Associate and Business Members, 2,000 Individual Members and more than 12,000 subscribers to the association’s electronic news service. In response to the critical need for suitable audition, rehearsal and recording facilities, OPERA America opened the first-ever NATIONAL OPERA CENTER (operaamerica.org/OperaCenter) in September 2012 in New York City. With a wide range of artistic and administrative services in a purpose-built facility, OPERA America is dedicated to increasing the level of excellence, creativity and effectiveness across the field.
OPERA America’s long tradition of supporting and nurturing the creation and development of new works led to the formation of The Opera Fund, a growing endowment that allows OPERA America to make a direct impact on the ongoing creation and presentation of new opera and music-theater works. Since its inception, OPERA America has made grants of nearly $13 million to assist companies with the expenses associated with the creation and development of new works.
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