The Naples Philharmonic onstage at Artis—Naples in Florida.
“Artis—Naples, the hybrid cultural institution comprised of the Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic, has announced the completion of its Future—Forward Campaign for Cultural Excellence,” writes Sarah Shay in Thursday’s (5/18) Musical America (subscription required). “Launched in 2016, the effort has raised more than $95mn, almost twice the initial goal of $50mn that was to go toward endowment. The completion leaves the institution with an endowment valued at $119mn. After Hurricane Irma struck Florida in 2017, Artis—Naples expanded the campaign by $25mn to include … an 18,000 sq.-ft. expansion to the 20-year-old Baker Museum: the façade has been upgraded to better withstand hurricanes … more exhibition space for the permanent collection and traveling exhibits, and new spaces … for social interaction, performance, and education activities…. More than 50 percent of the funds committed to the campaign have come from members of the Artis—Naples Board of Directors. Two noteworthy individual gifts, each of $10mn, came from Sharon and the late Timothy Ubben. The first of these two gifts endows the position of Artistic and Music Director, to which Alexander Shelley has been recently appointed.” Kathleen van Bergen is CEO and president of Artis—Naples.
