Des Moines Metro Opera Capital Campaign Exceeds Goal

Des Moines Metro Opera's (DMMO) Words and Music at the Carnegie Capital Campaign has raised over $4 million, exceeding its original $3.5 million goal. General and Artistic Director Michael Egel announced the news on November 9 at a donor recognition event to celebrate the campaign's success.

More than 175 donors participated in the campaign, including supporters from both Des Moines and Indianola. This included a $1 million leadership gift from Nix and Virginia Lauridsen, a Des Moines-based couple with a distinguished history of philanthropy throughout central Iowa and beyond. Upon completion of the project, the building will be named the Lauridsen Opera Center.

Des Moines Metro Opera's capital campaign began in June of 2016 with the goal of raising $3.5 million to renovate and expand the iconic 1904 Indianola Carnegie Library -DMMO's administrative headquarters since 1985 -and transform it into a functional, accessible opera center. The renovation and expansion of the historic library will more effectively support the opera's performances, education and community engagement efforts. The project is two-fold: to renovate the existing Carnegie Library and to construct a new 1,800 square foot addition on the north side of the library. Together the renovation and expansion will enhance rehearsal space, create new community engagement space and improve accessibility, efficiency and productivity for DMMO staff and volunteers.

The campaign was chaired by past DMMO board presidents Cherie Shreck and Nancy Main as well as Indianola leader Ardene Downing. Michael Egel, General and Artistic Director, stated, "This was a wonderful collaborative effort between Des Moines Metro Opera supporters and the community of Indianola. There was great synergy as the group worked to raise dollars to restore the iconic Carnegie Library and transform it into an opera center for our nationally recognized Des Moines Metro Opera company. This project will preserve an iconic treasure in the Indianola community while also allowing Des Moines Metro Opera to grow its education and community engagement efforts."

OPN architects has created the design for renovation and expansion with the project slated to begin in the spring of 2018. In August of 2017 the Carnegie Library gained acceptance onto the National Register of Historic Places.

Des Moines Metro Opera is a nationally recognized, progressive opera company that has taken its place among America's leading opera festivals. Founded in 1973, it is the state's largest performing arts organization, annually producing over 100 performances in the metro area and around the state and region. Last year 94,000 people experienced Des Moines Metro Opera programming via mainstage performances, educational programs and statewide television and radio broadcasts. In 2017, the Chicago Tribune reviewed DMMO's 45th Summer Festival and stated, "World-class opera grows tall and proud in the Corn Belt."

The Company's Summer Festival Season runs from May through July of each year during which three operas are performed in repertory for 15 mainstage performances. The Summer Festival Season takes place in the 467-seat Pote Theater at the Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola, Iowa. Each season the Company welcomes audiences from nearly 40 states, most Iowa counties and several foreign countries. The 2018 Summer Festival runs from June 22 through July 15, 2018. Featured will be J. Strauss' Die Fledermaus, Dvo?ák's Rusalka and Jonathan Dove's Flight.

The Company develops audiences of all ages through five educational programs. The OPERA Iowa Educational Touring Troupe and the Apprentice Artist Program for singers are two of the long-standing, flagship programs of the education division. Des Moines Metro Opera serves more than 40,000 people each year across the state through its educational programming.

Des Moines Metro Opera serves its city as a cultural leader through unique community programming and collaborations. The 2nd Stages Series creates collaborative performances designed to engage audiences in creative spaces. This season's 2nd Stages Series productions will feature Kaminsky/Campbell/Reed's As One at the Stoner Theater and Copland's The Tender Land at the Maytag Dairy Farms in Newton, IA.

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