MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) recently announced a $4 million gift commitment to Wharton Center for Performing Arts, as part of its $40 million commitment to MSU, marking MSUFCU’s 40th year of supporting Wharton Center and its largest gift commitment to date. 

“MSUFCU is pleased to be continuing our 40 years of support to Wharton Center with this recent gift,” said April Clobes, President and CEO of MSUFCU. “At MSUFCU, we work to enable our members to achieve their dreams. MSUFCU's support paired with Wharton Center's innovative programs have enabled many in our community to achieve their creative dreams. I encourage everyone to experience these dreams coming to life at a performance or educational program at Wharton Center."

While the gift is significant, it is the breadth of its impact across Wharton Center that demonstrates MSUFCU’s visionary commitment, helping the organization reach more than 200,000 patrons each season. The investment is directed in three ways: establishing a new endowment to support the development of new artistic works, investing in Wharton Center’s facilities, and providing annual support for programming, education, and access.

“MSUFCU’s commitment is an investment in the future of the arts and strengthens every part of Wharton Center’s mission,” shared Eric Olmscheid, Executive Director. “We are deeply grateful for 40 years of partnership with MSUFCU, and for the lasting impact this extraordinary generosity will have on artists, audiences, students, and our community for generations to come.” 

$1.5M of the $4M gift is to support Wharton Center facility renovations and upgrades; all aimed at improving the guest and artist experience. Patrons will experience this dedication when they visit the three concession areas at Wharton Center, now named the MSU Federal Credit Union Concessions.

"Through the generous support of organizations like MSUFCU, Wharton Center can maintain the welcoming, world-class facility as was intended when it originally opened in 1982," reflected Olmscheid. This past summer, the concession areas received a full overhaul, providing ADA-compliant counters and new technology aimed at greater employee and patron satisfaction. 

Another portion of the gift—$500,000—will create a new MSUFCU Creative Innovation Endowment Fund, focused on supporting new artists’ work and their process, especially projects that connect students and the MSU community. Wharton Center has a long-standing commitment to the creative process, including commissioning new works, providing space for artists to workshop their pieces, and investing in new show development.

This month, Wharton Center will host performances of What Do You Do With a Problem?, a new work for young audiences and families co-commissioned by Wharton Center, based on the New York Times best-selling book. Developed in partnership with the TYA Tour Development Collective, of which Wharton Center is a founding member, the production encourages audiences of all ages to embrace challenges with courage.

“Funding work still in development takes creativity, optimism, and vision. Artists need funding partners who are invested in their work and can imagine the impact it could have, all the way from one audience member to a whole community to a nationwide tour. Wharton Center has helped develop brand new touring productions that celebrate resilience, community, and joy,” said Sarah Saltwick, Co-Director of Holden Arts and TYA Tour Development Collective steering committee member.

 

Rounding out MSUFCU’s gift is funding for Wharton Center season programming, education initiatives, and the Arts Within Reach access fund. Annual programming support helps bring world-class artists to the stage while also building deep arts education programs that engage more than 30,000 learners annually. Through Arts Within Reach, Wharton Center makes the arts accessible to all by providing tickets at little or no cost to local schools and organizations, as well as scholarships for Wharton’s tuition-based education programs for children and families.

“Wharton Center has provided me with transformative experiences throughout my life. Participating in the Sutton Foster Awards in high school connected me to world-class musical theatre training and lifelong friendships,” shared Anastasia Breen, Wharton Center Education Intern and MSU Senior. “Now, as an intern at Wharton Center, I help facilitate the Sutton Foster Awards program and other educational opportunities for community members. I’ve also been able to participate in these opportunities while being a student at Michigan State, including two New Musical Laboratories where I workshopped new productions with professional creative teams.”

MSUFCU not only supports the arts but is a leader in our community by championing growth and innovation. MSUFCU remains an invaluable partner of Wharton Center, allowing center stage and behind-the-scenes improvements to be made through their generous gifts. From facility renovations and endowments that foster creativity to supporting what matters most—our patrons, students, and community—Wharton Center extends its deepest gratitude to MSUFCU for empowering everyone to experience the transformative power of performing arts.