The Atlanta Opera Receives $27.5 Million Gift
By Afton WootenThe Atlanta Opera announced that its has received a $27.5 million leadership gift from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
The gift goes directly to The Atlanta Opera’s three-year $110 million comprehensive campaign. The Blank Foundation grant ensures that the Opera’s vision extends beyond constructing its new home at the Molly Blank Center for Opera. This transformative gift designates $25 million to capital development and $2.5 million to their continued sponsorship of the Molly Blank Discoveries Series. The campaign is also set to enhance operational sustainability, enabling the Opera to continue presenting mainstage productions at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and further expanding its outreach programs.
Arthur Blank commented in a press release, “My mother, an artist herself, believed in the power of the arts to bring joy and healing. As a sculptor and dancer, she loved attending concerts, theater, and opera in Atlanta and New York. My brother Michael and I are proud to carry on her passion for the arts, and we know she would be honored to see her name alongside one of the country’s top opera companies. We’re excited to support the new multi-disciplinary center on the Atlanta Beltline and the Molly Blank Discoveries Series, bringing opera to new audiences. I can’t think of a more perfect way to honor her legacy.”
The Molly Blank Center for Opera will be constructed on Woodward Way in Atlanta and feature state-of-the-art facilities including a 200-seat recital hall, rehearsal spaces, administrative offices, and gardens, fostering a thriving hub for music, arts, and community engagement. Construction is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2027.
With the comprehensive campaign well underway, The Atlanta Opera invites supporters to join in shaping the future of one of America’s premier opera companies. This endeavor ensures that Atlanta will remain a cornerstone of artistic achievement and cultural enrichment for future generations. Over the past decade, The Atlanta Opera has demonstrated significant growth in community impact, increasing educational reach and broadening its repertoire to include innovative, immersive performances.