Title
To recognize the Columbus Association of Performing Arts (CAPA) on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.
Body
WHEREAS, as owner and operator of downtown Columbus' historic Ohio, Palace, and Southern Theatres, and manager of the Riffe Center Theatre Complex and the Shubert Theater in New Haven, CT, CAPA brings the world to our stages, enriches lives and creates community as an award-winning presenter of national and international performing arts and entertainment; and
WHEREAS, CAPA was formed in 1969 to prevent the demolition of the historic Ohio Theatre, now heralded as the "Official Theatre for the State of Ohio" and as a vanguard achievement in the field of theatre rehabilitation and downtown redevelopment; and
WHEREAS, through the cooperation and support of the City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners, the Lincoln Theatre Association, CAPA and local community and business partners, the historic Lincoln Theatre will celebrate its grand reopening this spring after a nearly two year and $13.5 million renovation to transform it into an active urban arts and education center which honors the African-American heritage of the King-Lincoln District and engages the diversity of the Columbus and central Ohio community; and
WHEREAS, the mission of CAPA is to present and produce artistic programming of the highest quality to serve and educate diverse audiences and feature renowned artists of all cultures; operate and maintain world-class performance venues; strengthen arts communities by providing facilities for resident companies and through partnership and collaboration, support those organizations; and bolster the economies of the downtown communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, in the 2007-08 season, CAPA presented more than 1,000 events, serving more than 650,000 guests, and generating $25 million in ticket sales and more than $62 million in economic impact; and
WHEREAS, CAPA has achieved international recognition over the past three decades for its diversity of performing arts and entertainment programming, dramatic restoration of historic theatres, excellence in facility management, and contributions to downtown quality of life; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council hereby recognizes the Columbus Association of Performing Arts on the occasion of its 40th anniversary and looks forward to many more years of performing arts and entertainment in the City of Columbus, made possible by this world renowned organization.