RICHMOND, VA, March 21, 2013 – The School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community (SPARC) has recently received the two largest gifts in its 32-year history: $500,000 from the Steven and Katherine Markel Foundation, and $1.5 million from an anonymous donor. With these gifts, SPARC completed the purchase of the SPARC Center at 2106 N. Hamilton Street on February 20, 2013.
“The Markels and our anonymous donor have transformed the future of SPARC and its impact on more than 2,300 young people in Richmond,” said SPARC Executive Director Ryan Ripperton. “With these newest gifts, SPARC enters the final phase of its Capital Campaign. SPARC has a critical need to add three more instructional studios, which will double the number of students served on campus, and establish an endowment for our future.”
Ripperton said, “The Markels have also been our largest initial funder for the new LIVE ART program, which has expanded this year to more than 240 students, 12 arts and education partners, more headlining musicians and an anticipated audience of more than 3,000 at the LIVE ART: Tree of Life concert at the Landmark Theater on December 22, 2013.”
Although these most recent gifts are the largest commitments in SPARC’s 32-year history, several additional individuals and foundations have made 
commitments of $100,000 or more to the Capital Campaign since it began in 2008: Robert G. Cabell, III and Maude Morgan Cabell Foundation; Neilson J. and Sara Belle November; The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation; The Pauley Family Foundation; and an anonymous donor.
While the two newest gifts and those above have given the real estate to SPARC, the organization relies heavily on contributions to fund its arts education programs, for which tuition covers just 37%. This year, SPARC is delivering over $270,000 in tuition-free outreach programs (STAGES, LIVE ART, and New Voices for the Theater) and over $25,000 in financial aid for students in tuition-based classes.
Ripperton said, “We are making great progress in solidifying SPARC’s role in the community and building a brighter future for the students we serve. Through the generosity of our donors and careful management of SPARC’s resources, we are changing young people’s lives through the arts and preparing to do so for many years to come.”
About SPARC
As of 2012, SPARC has served more than 12,000 children with a variety of programs for children ages 3 – 18. These include classes at six locations throughout metro Richmond, in-school arts education in eight public schools, after-school enrichment programs at over 20 schools and youth centers, an inclusive arts education program for children with special needs, an acclaimed statewide high school playwriting program, and summer camps. Course offerings encompass music, dance, acting and theatre production for beginners to advanced students.
SPARC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1981 and one of the nation’s most comprehensive, community-based performing arts education organizations, providing valuable life skills to children through high-quality programs. Its supporters have enabled SPARC to nurture the character and talents of thousands of young people in its 32-year history.
To support SPARC, go to www.sparconline.org/support or contact Candace Mraz-Nelson, Director of Development, at 804-353-3393 x224 or cmraz@sparconline.org.
For more information about SPARC, please visit www.sparconline.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SPARConline, and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SPARConline.
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