Wells Fargo Receives Blumenthal's Inaugural Business Leaders for the Arts Award

Blumenthal Performing Arts is proud to announce Wells Fargo as the first recipient of the Business Leaders for the Arts Award, which was presented during the inaugural celebration dinner held at Booth Playhouse last night.

"Blumenthal is grateful for organizations that understand how integral the arts and artists are for a community," said Blumenthal President and CEO Tom Gabbard. "Wells Fargo has served as a catalyst to bring impactful and diverse programs, collaborations, historic exhibitions, and access to the arts to the people who call the Carolinas home."

Jay Everette, SVP and Community Affairs Manager at Wells Fargo, accepted the award recognizing Wells Fargo for its leadership, investment, and commitment to the arts.

Wells Fargo's investments in Blumenthal Performing Arts have yielded impactful programs that bring new and exciting opportunities to the community. In 2016, Wells Fargo initiated a collaboration with Blumenthal Performing Arts and Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture to bring the historic Dance Theatre of Harlem to Charlotte, including performances, workshops, an exhibition, community programs and access to tickets for those unable to afford them.

Wells Fargo has been the presenting sponsor of The Blumey Awards, which recognizes excellence in high school musical theater in the Carolinas, since its inception in 2012. The program sends the Best Actor and Actress winners to the national high school musical theater awards in New York City, known as The Jimmy Awards, a leader among programs that recognize and highlight the importance of musical theater and arts education across the country.

Blumenthal's Business Leaders for the Arts is a network of local businesses that believe the arts are vital to the community, economy, education and workforce of tomorrow. Members gather quarterly to gain insight into industry trends and to celebrate the impact of the business community's investment in the arts.

Blumenthal Performing Arts serves the Carolinas as a leading cultural, entertainment and education provider. For more information, call (704) 372-1000 or visit BlumenthalArts.org. Blumenthal Performing Arts receives operating support from the Arts & Science Council and North Carolina Arts CounciL. Blumenthal Performing Arts is also supported by PNC Bank, sponsor of the PNC Broadway Lights.

Pictured: Blumenthal President Tom Gabbard, Wells Fargo's Jay Everette, and Kristin Hills Bradberry, chair of Blumenthal's Board of Trustees. The award Wells Fargo received is "Teal Drop," created by Michael C. Krupiarz. The artist has been studying glass for more than a decade at Alfred University NYSCC, Penland School of Crafts, Haystack, and Pilchuck Glass School. In 2012, Krupiarz was awarded the Core Fellowship at Penland, a program Wells Fargo supports. Photo by Daniel Coston.

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