UC Surpasses Goal on Fine Arts Fund Drive

Despite the troubled economy, UC raised more money than ever for the 2003 Fine Arts Fund campaign, surpassing the university goal.

The UC campaign, co-chaired by Victoria Montavon, dean for University Libraries, and James Tucker, vice president for Administrative and Business Services, raised $45,196 with 351 gifts. Compared to last year, that’s up 10.3 percent in total dollars and 10.4 percent in the number of participants.  The Greater Cincinnati area also surpassed its goal, raising 7.5 percent more than last year for a total of $10.006 million.

“I attribute the increase in UC donations this year to the fact that we had a group of 35 coordinators from all areas of the university who used their creativity and interpersonal skills to promote the campaign to their co-workers.  It’s their hard work that made the campaign a success,” says Tucker.

Dean Montavon echoed his assessment, adding that the UC success “really comes from the genuine commitment to the arts by the UC community.”

She also says that a competition among the coordinators sparked more contributions. “The group that won, I am proud to say, was University Libraries,” Montavon says. Some units also held activities to heighten awareness about the campaign. For example, University Libraries tied its Edible Book event to the campaign this year and on April 11 the Division of Student Affairs and Services brought in Mother Bunny from a Children’s Theatre performance to collect donations in her special basket.

“This is UC’s best Fine Arts Fund campaign to date,” said Montavon. “Jim Tucker and I are happy to have continued the UC tradition of raising more money for the Fine Arts Fund each year.”

The Fine Arts Fund helps to support 17 beneficiary organizations, along with 70 smaller arts groups in the region. Its primary beneficiaries include Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Contemporary Arts Center, May Festival, Taft Museum of Art, Arts Consortium of Cincinnati, The Children’s Theatre, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Fitton Center for Creative Arts, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Madcap Productions Puppet Theatre and Theatre IV.