EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan State University Federal Credit Union announced today a $2.5 million gift to MSU’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts to help fund the new Institute for Arts & Creativity. The MSUFCU also will continue its support of the Broadway series at Wharton.

“The MSU Federal Credit Union has a long-standing commitment to supporting Michigan State University and programs that enhance the student experience and enrich the community in which we live,” said Bill Latta, MSUFCU board chairperson. “It gives us great pleasure to reaffirm our commitment to the Broadway at Wharton Center series and to offer additional support for the new Institute for Arts & Creativity.”

The new MSUFCU Institute for Arts & Creativity at Wharton Center will provide participatory learning programs at the Wharton Center and throughout the state for audiences of all ages. The institute will coordinate existing education programs including the Act One School and Family Series; Jazz Kats – Jazz for Kids; and the Young Playwrights Festival that integrates the performing arts into K-12 curriculum for more than 30,000 children each year.

Additional initiatives will include a collaborative program of artist residencies that will serve as the cornerstone of the new institute. During a multiday stay on campus and in the community, an artist-in-residence will share his or her expertise and insights during close interaction with participants. Programs will include lecture demonstrations, master classes, career development discussions and opportunities for one-on-one and group mentoring.

As part of the first major enhancement to the Wharton Center in 25 years, the physical spaces will include state-of-the-art technology necessary for long-distance learning broadcasts, providing thousands of children the opportunity to participate in arts education initiatives.

“The concept of the new institute is more than a four-wall classroom,” said Mike Brand, Wharton Center’s executive director. “In addition to our stages and public spaces, classrooms throughout campus and around the state will be utilized for institute programs. State-of-the-art technology will also allow us to broadcast our programs into classrooms throughout the state.”

MSUFCU’s donation is the lead gift in Wharton Center’s capital campaign to raise $11 million. To date, $6.5 million has been raised. Additional lead gifts have been made by the Lansing-based Christman Co., Lansing, Jackson National Life Insurance, Larry and Arlene Sierra, Wharton Center donors, and others.

Established in 1937, the MSUFCU is the largest university-based credit union in the world. With more than $1.4 billion in assets, a membership of 145,000 and more ATMs than any other institution in the Greater Lansing area, MSUFCU serves the financial needs of the community with a line of full-service financial products to help its members achieve financial success.  More information can be found at www.msufcu.org.

Additional information about Wharton Center can be found at www.whartoncenter.com.

Listen to a podcast with Kent Love of the Wharton Center as he discusses the new institute at http://spartanpodcast.com/?p=432.

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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.