by Gene Marrano
Nicholas and Jenny Taubman, who helped kick start fundraising for the museum now named for them with a $15 million donation, recently announced a series of sustainability grants for local arts organizations that have submitted applications. Among the groups awarded grants by the Taubmans were Center in the Square, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and the Virginia Museum of Transportation ($100,000 each); the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge and Local Colors ($50,000 each); Studio Roanoke, the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and Apple Ridge Farms ($25,000 each).
“The Taubman grant will give us a fantastic head start as we begin the 2011-12 season,” said Studio Roanoke artistic director Kenley Smith. “Now we can provide our staff security and peace of mind as we continue to develop long-term fundraising strategies.” Pictured: GAMUT Theatre’s recent production of Pvt. Wars, which was staged at Studio Roanoke, the small black box theater space on Campbell Avenue that GAMUT, a local amateur troupe, rents for their productions. Next up is Harold Pinter’s “The Lover” in July.
