Blumenthal Performing Arts Announces Bank of America as New Title Sponsor of the Blumey Awards
Jan 19, 2024 / Press Releases
(January 19, 2024) Charlotte, NC – On Saturday, January 13, Blumenthal Arts, the Carolinas’ premier not-for-profit arts organization, announced that $225k had been raised to launch the Blumey Inspire Fund, a new initiative that will make access to high-quality arts education equitable for high school students in Charlotte. The fund will bolster Blumenthal’s education programs, namely the Blumey Awards, which marked ten years of celebrating local talent and supporting big dreams in a one-night-only fundraiser event on the Belk Theater stage. At the event, Blumenthal announced Bank of America as the new title sponsor of the 2024 Blumey Awards, set to take place on May 26. For more information about the Blumey Awards, visit https://www.blumenthalarts.org/blumey-awards. To make a contribution to the Blumey Inspire Fund, click here.
(Students performing in the 10th Anniversary Blumey Awards Celebration at Belk Theater)
A spokesperson for Bank of America shared, “Bank of America is a longtime partner of Blumenthal Arts and is proud to support the 2024 Blumey Awards. The Arts are pivotal to a thriving city, and we are proud to sponsor an organization that brings musical theater coaching, support, and recognition to students, staff, and schools across our community.”
Throughout the evening, solicitations for donations alongside an online auction, as well as the incredible support from corporate and individual sponsors and generous contributors helped kick off a new chapter for the Blumey Awards. The new Blumey Inspire Fund brought in $225K to launch the initiative, an incredible step in expanding the reach of the Blumey Awards by establishing new theater programs in schools, closing disparity gaps and removing barriers of entry by providing access to essential training and resources. Special thanks to the lead sponsors of the 10th Anniversary Blumey Awards Celebration and for infusing meaningful, early contributions for the Blumey Inspire Fund, The Doctor Family Foundation, Peg and Jay Adamczyk, Wells Fargo and the Atrium Health Foundation.
“The 10th Anniversary Blumey Awards Celebration was the perfect launch pad for the new Blumey Inspire Fund,” said Blumenthal’s Vice President of Education, Andie Maloney. “The joyful evening reunited alumni, uplifted arts educators, and spotlighted current Blumey students. The impact of the program was palpable in a night filled with the stories of students propelled into careers pursuing their dreams on and off stage.
“Every student deserves access to high quality arts experiences, and the Blumey Inspire Fund will help make that a reality.”
About the 10th Anniversary Blumey Awards Celebration
The 10th Anniversary Blumey Awards Celebration featured notable alums including Mekhai Lee (The Color Purple National Tour, 2012 Best Actor Nominee and 2014 Blumey Awards Best Actor Winner, Northwest School of the Arts), Maya Sistruck (The Great Gatsby, 2017 Blumey Awards Best Actress Nominee, 2018 Best Supporting Actress Nominee, Northwest School of the Arts), Justin Rivers (A Transparent Musical, 2016 and 2017 Blumey Awards Best Actor Winner, Central Academy of Technology & Arts), and Sayo Oni (Hadestown on Broadway, 2018 Best Actor Nominee and 2019 Blumey Awards Best Actor Winner, Central Academy of Technology & Arts).
They joined 64 current students, 24 teachers, and 30 alumni representing 34 Charlotte-area schools live on the Belk Theater stage performing a medley of songs with direction by Dan Knechtges, music direction by David Dabbon and hosted by Brigida Mack (Award-winning TV journalist) and Thomas Laub (Tony Award–winning Broadway producer and Blumey Alumnus, Providence Day School), all while celebrating a decade of success and toasting to the next chapter.
The evening was made possible by generous sponsors and supporters, notably Don and Mary Doctor, who were the evening's title sponsor. The Doctor Family Foundation has made a firm commitment to Blumenthal's education programs and to the students themselves for years, helping many to realize their dreams through their contributions and the Mary Doctor Fine Arts Scholarship.
For photos of the event, click here.
A commemorative program from the event can be viewed here.
About the Blumey Awards
The Blumey Awards is a regional affiliate of the Jimmy Awards®, the National High School Musical Theater Awards that are presented annually on Broadway. The Blumeys provides auxiliary experiences to students at participating schools year-round, including workshops and master classes with top creative talent from New York. All of this is offered free of charge.
As a not-for-profit, Blumenthal Arts relies on additional support to sustain these transformative programs. Bank of America was heavily involved as a founding contributor during Blumenthal’s opening campaign in 1989; it has been a major supporter of Blumenthal programming and operations since 1996. In 2019, Bank of America pledged $1MM in support of capital improvements. As the title sponsor of the 2024 Blumey Awards, Bank of America will help to elevate the program and propel students to excel in their artistic pursuits.
The Blumey Awards has ignited the professional careers of stars in the theater industry and beyond. Participants have gone on to win Tony nominations, produce Broadway shows, star in films and national tours seen by thousands of people across North America—and much more.
Blumenthal plays a critical role by opening doors to help students make connections so that they can pursue their big dreams.
Generous contributors to the Blumey Inspire Fund include:
$10,000+
Vickie and Tom Gabbard
Runyonland Productions
$5,000+
Dorlisa and Peter Flur
$1,500+
Jami and Bryan Farris
Anthony and Janet Mills
$500+
Julie Ahdieh
Robert J Becker
Drs. Seungjean and Janie Chai
Dr. Michael C. Farmer
Doug and Kelly Gardner
Carolyn P Meade
Mr. Jeffrey Montie
Mr. Robert F. Murphy
Peter and Janet Nixon
Carrie and Jeff Teixeira
Additional gifts up to $499 have also been received.
To make a contribution to the Blumey Inspire Fund, click here.
To see a photo mosaic celebrating 10 years of the Blumey Awards, click here.
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ABOUT BLUMENTHAL ARTS
Blumenthal Arts serves the Carolinas as a leading cultural, entertainment and education not-for-profit. For more information, call (704) 372-1000 or visit BlumenthalArts.org. Blumenthal Arts receives support from the Infusion Fund and the North Carolina Arts Council. Generous support is also provided by PNC Bank, sponsor of the PNC Broadway Lights series, and Equitable, sponsor of the Equitable Bravo Series.
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