Tibbits Opera Foundation and Arts Council

COLDWATER – Highlighting area choir programs, the annual meeting of the Tibbits Opera Foundation & Arts Council, Inc. will open with check presentations and short student performances before reviewing the theatre’s 2020-2021 fiscal year. The meeting at the historic opera house at 5pm Thursday, January 27, 2022 will also offer a virtual option.

In September, the Smith Memorial Concert featured Coldwater High School graduate Chelsea Hart Melcher and was a benefit for four area choir programs who participated in a special Master Class with Chelsea and her husband Paul Melcher. Representatives from the choir departments of Coldwater, Reading, Union City and Pansophia Academy will be on hand to receive checks from the proceeds of that concert.

According to Tibbits Executive Director Christine Delaney, “Tibbits’ mission focuses on opportunities to engage in the arts. Our area youth are a major part of that and it’s fitting that we recognize these school programs at our annual meeting. We appreciate Diane Pridgeon and her sister Susanne Wise for allowing Tibbits to partner with them. We think it will be a great lead-in to our year in review.”

Tibbits annual meeting will begin with a small reception with hors d’ oeuvres at 5pm. Entertainment beginning at 5:30pm will include cast members of Coldwater High School’s spring show, “Little Women.” The meeting portion will include a review of the theatre’s financials. Just as last year’s meeting focused on the unprecedented time of Covid, this year’s meeting will demonstrate how the theatre has continued to maneuver through the challenges.

As a nonprofit organization and according to its bylaws, Tibbits must hold a general meeting of its membership in January. The purpose of the meeting is to present an annual report to the membership and elect members to the board of directors.

The meeting will be held in the theatre and open to the public. Masks are encouraged. Recognizing not everyone is comfortable attending in person, an online option will be available to those who pre-register calling the theatre at 517.278.6029 or by emailing boxoffice@Tibbits.org.

Tibbits Opera House is located at 14 South Hanchett Street, Coldwater. For more information call 517-278-6029 or visit Tibbits.org.

COLDWATER – With an underlying theme of gratitude, Tibbits Opera Foundation & Arts Council, Inc. held its annual meeting as a combined virtual and in-person event at the historic opera house last night.  

Despite the challenges of COVID which shut the theatre for months, the organization’s financial position remains strong. The Annual Report for the organization provides a comprehensive view of the year. Most telling are the pages with the list of shows for the year including all of the cancellations. Donations replaced ticket revenue and each person who presented during the meeting reiterated appreciation for the community, the members, the sponsors, the board and staff for all of the support and effort through the year.

Board treasurer Wayne Weaver summed up the year saying, “This is not a business model we want to repeat, but through increased fundraising and a concerted effort to cut expenses, we ended 2018-2019 with a $15,000 loss and this year 2019-2020 we had a $78,000 profit.” Tibbits also received a PPP loan and several emergency grants. Notes on the financial pages of the report express the goal being prepared for continued challenges in 2021 and even into 2022. While restrictions allow the theatre to open to limited capacity, the schedule still remains sparse.

Rick Merrill reviewed the year and the ways Tibbits staff and board adapted and stepped up to keep the theatre strong. He reflected on his three years as president of Tibbits board thanking the other board members and the staff for their support. He recognized retiring board member Polly Locke with a plaque honoring her nine years of service. Also during the meeting, Daniel Gordon, Erin Jansen, Angie Marsh and Cisco Ortiz were elected to the board of directors. John Bolton and Wayne Weaver each renewed their terms.

During the organizational meeting which followed the annual meeting, Chris Donbrock was elected president, John Bolton vice president, Ken Norton treasurer, Joe Hughes secretary and Dave Coyle member-at-large, to serve as the officers and executive committee for the Foundation.

Copies of the Tibbits Opera Foundation Annual Report are available at the administrative office at 93 W. Chicago St. or online at https://tibbits.org/about-tibbits/ under the organizational information tab. For more information on Tibbits or its events visit Tibbits.org or call 517-278-6029.

COLDWATER – Tibbits Opera Foundation & Arts Council, Inc. will hold its annual meeting as a combined virtual and in-person event at the historic opera house at 5:30 pm Thursday, January 28, 2021.

As a nonprofit organization and according to its bylaws, Tibbits must hold a general meeting of its membership in January. The purpose of the meeting is to present an annual report to the membership and elect new members to fill any vacant positions on the board of directors.

While past annual meetings have included special presentations on the building, its history, or some form of entertainment, as well as a reception, this year’s event will focus on the unprecedented past year. According to Board President, Richard Merrill, “Our 2019-2020 fiscal year was unlike any that we have ever experienced in our long history.”

The current orders allow the theatre to open with socially distanced seating, so the meeting will be held in the theatre and open to members. Recognizing not all members are comfortable attending in person, an online option will be available to members who pre-register by responding to the invitation sent via email, by calling the theatre at 517.278.6029 or by emailing boxoffice@Tibbits.org.

In addition to the presentation of the 2019-2020 financials, the meeting will include a review of the theatre’s COVID-related activities both in terms of programming and improvements to the building. There will also be the election of four new members to the board and the recognition of one member leaving the board.

Tibbits Opera House is located at 14 South Hanchett Street, Coldwater. For more information call 517-278-6029 or visit Tibbits.org

COLDWATER –The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) announced its grant awards for 2020-2021 and they included two for the Tibbits Opera Foundation and Arts Council, Inc. – an Operational Support Grant and a Capital Improvement Grant.

Tibbits has received an Operation Support grant each year since the MCACA implemented the program in 2012. This year’s award of $15,000 represents a $3000 decrease from the year before. The grant includes funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Capital Improvement grant of $63,000 will go towards upgrades to the theatre’s sound and theatrical equipment. The project requires a dollar-for-dollar match. 

According to Tibbits Executive Director, Christine Delaney “We are grateful for both of the grants. Arts organizations like Tibbits play a vital role for their communities. The process is very competitive and it is always nice to have affirmation of the work we are doing for our community.”

Both MCACA grants were awarded through the peer review process and were among 597 applications competing for fiscal year 2021 funding. Through the review process grant applications were evaluated and recommendations made to the MCACA Governor’s Council. The two grants to Tibbits represent the only funding from MCACA for Branch County this year.

According to Alison Watson, Director of MCACA “It is really wonderful to see so many great grant applications. During these tough times, it is a strong affirmation that the field is still vibrant, and the value of our programs is not only recognized, but can contribute to ongoing efforts support vibrancy in our communities throughout the state.”

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs is dedicated to ensuring that every citizen and community in Michigan enjoys the civic, economic and educational benefits of arts and culture.

Tibbits Opera House built in 1882 is owned and operated by the Tibbits Opera Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1962. Its mission is “to engage all in arts, culture, education and the preservation of the historic Opera House.” To support the theatre’s general operations or specifically the sound and theatrical equipment project go on line to Tibbits.org, stop at the Tibbits offices at 93 W. Chicago St., Coldwater 9-5 Mon. through Fri., or call 517.278.6029.

COLDWATER— The Board of Directors of the Tibbits Opera Foundation and Arts Council, Inc. has launched a fundraising matching challenge campaign in an effort to raise $15,000, approximately one month’s expenses for the historic theatre.

Tibbits’ leadership have agreed to match all new donations to Tibbits in September and October, dollar for dollar, up to $7,500.  The COVID Pandemic, and the resulting lockouts and shut downs, has kept the theatre closed. While they adapted for Summer Theatre, the closure has eliminated all of Tibbits’ fall programming.  The campaign is designed to supplement the loss of revenue for the fall season. 

Rick Merrill, Tibbits Opera Foundation Board President said, “As evidenced by our ever-changing summer theatre season, this year has been a challenge for us, but with your assistance, we have conquered Covid one show at a time! Unfortunately, we foresee that the near future will continue to be a challenge for us. We are challenging all of our Tibbits friends, supporters and community to this fundraising match.”

With the uncertainty of the governor’s Executive Orders and when theatres will be allowed to open, the Opera House is unable to schedule any live events. Last year, the theatre received revenue through ticket sales from its Tibbits Young Audiences production, its production of “Next to Normal,” the Classic Films Series, the Smith Thank You concert, as well as rentals from Branch County Community Theatre, Branch County Community Band, and numerous private events.

According to Tibbits Executive Director Christine Delaney, “As the center for arts, culture and entertainment for our community, Tibbits staff is pressing forward to assure the theatre remains strong and is ready to reopen when the time comes. We are grateful for the leadership of our board.”

Those wishing to support the campaign may make a donation at Tibbits.org, on Tibbits’ Facebook page, by calling 517.278.6029, or in person at the Tibbits Administrative Offices at 93 W. Chicago Street in Coldwater.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOARD MATCH CHALLENGE HERE

COLDWATER, MI — The scene shop for Tibbits Opera House received a much-needed excavation improvement this past week as Parrish Excavation of Quincy completed installation of a leach basin and a new gravel driveway.

The excavation work took two days and alleviates a long-standing problem of poor drainage. With the grade of the entire property going toward the building, winter and spring snow and rain routinely flooded the building. Between the standing water and the freezing and thawing there were times when it was unsafe for staff, volunteers, the building, and its contents.

The project originally planned for the spring, like everything else, was delayed due to the state-mandated shutdown. The scene shop located on Division Street is used for storing scenery and props, and as a workspace for building sets for Tibbits’ professional theatre shows as well as local productions. Coldwater Community Theatre, Coldwater High School and Tibbits Young Audiences use a great deal of the scenery for their shows and Coldwater Rotary Club stores the risers and sets for its annual show in the scene shop. The space would normally be abuzz with activity throughout the summer but the theatre’s revised schedule all but eliminated the set building for this year.

Partial funding for the project came from Coldwater Rotary Club and a local donor. Those wishing to contribute to the project fund may contact Tibbits at 517-278-6029. Online donations may be made at Tibbits.org with “Scene Shop” in the description.