r e p ort
Wells Fargo helps the arts thrive in Berkeley B y K a r e n McK e v i t t
How do people revitalize their communities
“ Wells Fargo is proud to support Berkeley Rep and its commitment to the community to share the cultural gift of theatre.” m ick y r an d hawa , e a s t bay pre s id e nt o f we ll s farg o
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and turn once-challenging streets into vibrant neighborhoods filled with restaurants, retail, and culture? Answer: Bring in the artists. It’s been proven time and again from Brooklyn to the Bay Area that artists are key to economic and community transformation. Witness the Downtown Berkeley Arts District. For the past several years it’s pulsed with captivating live theatre and music, engaging visual art, and thriving restaurants—anchored on Addison Street by Berkeley Rep and other venues where artists flourish. This sort of metamorphosis doesn’t happen by mistake. It takes forward-thinking city leaders and financial investment. Enter Wells Fargo, which has supported several of Berkeley’s art institutions to the tune of $825,000 over the last three years. And for the last eight years, Wells Fargo has been a generous season sponsor of Berkeley Rep. “Over the last four years, we’ve seen a decline nationally in corporate philanthropy to the arts,” says Managing Director Susan Medak. “Wells Fargo has been one of those rare sponsors who have rededicated themselves to supporting