OPERADELAWARE
ABOUT OPERADELAWARE The year was 1945 when a group of local artisans gathered under Chick Laird to present classic opera with the finest voices in Wilmington at affordable prices. Much has changed over the years but what we value, “Opera for Everyone” remains the same. Today, we are a sleek, professional opera company that still retains its grassroots spirit and core of volunteers to produce the “best traditional opera in the region.” We are the only professional opera company in Delaware and the 14th oldest in the nation. Our patrons, geographically and culturally as diverse as ever, come from all over the state of Delaware as well as from Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. We employ more than 300 local artisans each season and we are a source of arts education for many schools that otherwise have none. Over the years, we have launched the careers of more than 100 artists, nationally and internationally. We influence the future of opera throughout the world, the future of Delaware and, most importantly, we give Delawareans a sense of pride and joy!
For 67 years OperaDelaware has distinguished itself as one of the region’s major cultural institutions. Our yearly audience base has surpassed the 14,000 mark; we have produced 206 Main Stage Operas, including 20 world premieres, and the works of 56 different composers since 1945. OperaDelaware’s performing venue for grand operas is the historic Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Delaware which seats 1,000 patrons and for the Studio Series is the OD’s Arts and Education Center on the Riverfront.
MAIN STAGE SERIES OperaDelaware’s Main Stage Operas feature popular, large-scale operas in the Fall and Spring with a focus on reflecting Delaware’s own creative community through our selection of artists, chorus, musicians, designers and collaborating local organizations. Our productions take place in The Grand’s Copeland Hall in downtown Wilmington and appeal to a broad audience which includes the casual and infrequent opera-goer as well as our regular subscriber base. In order to accommodate changing schedules of our patrons, OperaDelaware recently adjusted its evening curtain to 7:30 pm, established two new ticketing packages (Family Fridays - 4 tickets for $87 and Flex Tickets - subscription prices with the flexibility of single price tickets) and provided point-to-point transportation to accommodate our older patrons.
STUDIO SERIES This sold-out cabaret-style series debuted in the 2009-10 season in response to the public’s desire for intimate, personal experiences with the art form. This flexible Series allowed OperaDelaware to respond to audience needs for various operatic experiences (chamber operas, new or forgotten classics, culturally diverse or re conceived works) in various locations throughout the state without the overhead costs associated with a full production. For many, this new Series was “the most intense pure joy crammed into two hours!” They “loved the change” and thought that “everyone should be introduced to opera through the Studio Series!” Due to overwhelming demand, we expanded the Studio Series to two productions in Wilmington, and we toured the Studio Series to Rehoboth Beach at the Clear Space Theatre Co. and Selbyville at The Freeman Stage during our 201011 Season.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH PROGRAMS OperaDelaware’s Education programs build community. With more than a dozen year-round education programs, OperaDelaware reaches more than 6,000 adults and youth each season. Whether it’s our Adult Education programs that are presented throughout the state or our Youth Education programs that are presented in underserved schools, at The Grand or in our Studio on the Riverfront, OperaDelaware is building community through the arts of opera. Visit our website for more information about our Youth and Adult Education Programs. www.operade.org
- Philadelphia Inquirer
The Foundation OUR MISSION is to enrich the cultural lives of adults, families and students within the Mid-Atlantic region through meaningful arts education, the production of professional grand opera, and intimate opera concerts featuring the best professional and emerging talent on the East Coast. OUR VISION is to make opera a live, relevant and accessible art form for the MidAtlantic region. OUR VALUES are the cornerstone of who we are, what we stand for and how we interact with our community. Excellence: We believe in presenting work of the highest quality in all of our endeavors. Education: We believe in providing a nurturing environment for emerging artists and offering adults and youth the richest possible learning experiences. Outreach: We believe in building long-term, meaningful relationships with children from underserved schools who have little or no access to music. Diversity: We believe in the inclusion of diverse people, ideas and cultures in order to be a valued asset to our community. Collaboration: We believe in strengthening the region’s cultural and artistic community through collaborations with institutions and universities in the region. Financial Health: We believe in maintaining fiscal responsibility by making wise and efficient use of all resources entrusted to us. Heritage: We believe that preserving grand opera and opera education are vital for the strength and vitality of a thriving community.
Patron Demographics
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Delaware Pennsylvania Maryland New Jersey New York Virginia
IF YOUR ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO: CONNECT TO DELAWARE’S REGIONAL COMMUNITY INTRODUCE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO MUSIC AND OPERA
<$35,000: 9% $36,000-$75,000: 35% $75,000-$100,000: 24% $100,00+: 32%
SUPPORT MUSIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS IMPROVE DELAWARE’S BUSINESS CLIMATE AND QUALITY OF LIVING ENHANCE BRANDING AND AWARENESS MAKE THE ARTS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
< 24: 24% 25-49: 21% 50+: 55%
SUPPORT A STABLE NONPROFIT WITH A STRONG LEGACY THEN OPERADELAWARE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THESE PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES WITH YOU:
Caucasian: 85% African-American: 8% Hispanic: 1% Asian: 6%
SERIES/SEASON SPONSORSHIPS EDUCATION PROGRAM SPONSORSHIPS PRODUCTION PARTNERS SPONSORSHIPS
17% 54% 28% 1%
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPONSORSHIPS $25,000
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PUT YOUR NAME UP THERE WITH MOZART, VERDI & GERSHWIN! WHY SPONSOR OPERADELAWARE - Visitors are often stunned by the superb artistry of our professional artists and musicians. Each Season, we strive to raise the bar which brings regional and national attention to Wilmington! - OperaDelaware shares the exciting and rich world of opera to everyone in the community. For youth, thousands of students are enriched by year-round, in-school residencies, classroom visits, youth operas and performances that show how music and the arts of opera relate to their school curriculum and the world around them. For adults, OperaDelaware provides year-long, statewide education programs that enrich the opera experience for life-long aficionados, first timers and everyone in between. - Students engaged in the arts discover skills that help them in every facet of their lives. OperaDelaware’s gives children (grades 3-12) a chance to develop performance and technical skills while building confidence in a nurturing environment. Whether they're just trying to get their feet wet or a dedicated theatre enthusiast, OD's Youth Program is designed to enhance their abilities and help them begin to explore a new, wide world of opportunities. - OperaDelaware adds to Delaware’s “Quality of Life” and provides that valued and desired commodity to industries looking for a site in which to operate that in turn attracts and retains the best employees. And most importantly, OperaDelaware builds Delaware’s reputation and gives Delawareans a sense of pride and joy! - Our sponsor organizations are proud to link their identities with OperaDelaware’s vision and values, as seen by thousands in printed ads, programs and other marketing channels. - Businesses gain loyalty from employees and clients who receive tickets to memorable productions, including our Studio Series and annual winter fundraising event. - a well-governed 501 (c) 3 organization, OperaDelaware has offered 67 years of uninterrupted community service.
“TRENDS IN BUSINESS ARE MOVING TOWARDS CLIENT ENTERTAINMENT AT ART EVENTS AS WELL AS SPORTING EVENTS. OPERA IS FAST BECOMING THE HOT TICKET FOR SEVERAL AGE GROUPS ATTRACTED BY ITS LARGER-THAN-LIFE SPECTACLE AND TECHNICAL MAGIC.” - Patricia Martin,
If you would like more information on how your company can direct their advertising dollars straight to the demographic audience that best fits their company’s goals, contact: Carin Brastow Director of Development OPERADELAWARE (302) 658-8063 EXT 3260