Operations
Tibbits Opera Foundation & Arts Council, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
corporation whose mission is to preserve the historic Tibbits Opera
House, to offer cultural entertainment experiences for the citizens
of Branch County and our region and to provide a cultural stage for
area residents.
Thousands of tourists, area residents and nearby community residents
attend plays, musical acts, summer professional theatre, and community
events at Tibbits every year. In fact, Tibbits is responsible for generating
over $1,500,000 annually into the local economy, is the community stage
for Branch County, Michigan, and is an important regional venue for
experiencing live, cultural and theatrical productions within an hour
radius of Coldwater, Michigan. For our community's children, Tibbits
offers their primary exposure to live theatre and other performing
arts.
Tibbits
Mission
The Tibbits Opera Foundation and Arts Council, Inc. fosters enrichment
of life for all people by preserving the historic opera house and supporting
the arts, culture and education.
Tibbits Opera Foundation
Board of Directors
President
Erl Gleason
Vice President
Randall Hazelbaker
Treasurer
Ray Sebastian
Secretary
Barb Mullally
Member-at-Large
Shana Grife
Member-at-Large
Jim Maynard
Board Members
Doug Bloom, J. Richard Colbeck, Matt Galliers, Brian Hodson, Jeff Holbrook, Brad Parrish,
Ruth Scheidler, Julie Statos, Connie Winbigler - Past President
Mary Good - In memoriam
Annual Meeting - January 24, 2008 at Tibbits Opera House
(Open to the Community)
New calculations for the economic impact of the arts on the community reveal that last year the Tibbits Opera House generated an estimated one and a half million dollars into the local economy. This information was presented at the annual meeting.
The calculations available from Americans for the Arts measure the additional spending generated by the organization and attendees of its many events. It is based on the size of the community, the annual spending by Tibbits and the annual attendance which reached a 6-year high of 31,304 people. The tone of the meeting stressed the value of the theatre and its many programs to the community.
Erl Gleason, President of the Tibbits Board of Directors, discussed how Tibbits brings visitors to the community which is good for retail business; it attracts businesses and employees which is good for the local government, and it provides arts opportunities which are good for our young people.
According to Gleason, “Tibbits is gaining financial health year by year.” He stressed, “we cannot do all this without the help of the community. No matter how we work the finances, we need your help as members, volunteers and benefactors”
Awards Ceremony
President Erl Gleason recognized Caroline Lowe for her 20 years of leadership and service on the Tibbits board. Evelyn Grimes for her 14 years of leadership, Dick Knirk and Dr. Mark Kallus were also recognized.
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