Setting the Stage: Robinson Theatre Renovation
1
We need your help
Impacting the arts in Western Colorado
Colorado Mesa University and the State of Colorado are investing in the future of performing arts in western Colorado by prioritizing the building of a new state-of-the-art theatre. The Colorado Joint Budget Committee, the General Assembly and Governor Polis approved $39 million for the project. CMU will invest an additional $5 million.
We need your help to raise the additional funds that will allow us to build a truly transformative theatre on par with front range facilities and establish CMU as a regional cultural destination.
$8 million
Donation Options
Legacy Circle
Under $500 to $100,0000A tiered donation option starting with website recognition up to season tickets and more.
Founder's Circle
$100,000 to $6 millionDonate to the Founder's Circle for naming rights, VIP ticketing and parking to all performing arts events.
Or you can call the Colorado Mesa University Foundation at 970.248.1902
The Numbers
$39.5M State Funding + $5.5M CMU Capital Funds + $8M Capital Campaign = $53M Project
2
A tale of two Colorados
Addressing the urban-rural divide
Boom and bust cycles have wreaked havoc on rural Colorado and the Great Recession of 2008 was no different, resulting in declining population, wages and jobs and a rise in domestic violence, poverty and crime. Over half of our students qualified for free and reduced lunch. While the Denver metro corridor was the first area of the country to recover, it took a full decade for Grand Junction’s economy to reach pre-recession levels. The third quarter of 2019 was the first time in Grand Junction’s history where the number of oil and gas jobs declined, while our overall job and population growth and household income grew. While we are incredibly proud of the work we have done to diversify our economy, we still lag far behind state averages.
The power of the arts
Bridging the divide
Some say our country has never been more divided, whether through race, gender, political affiliation or even whether to get vaccinated or not. Throughout history, the arts have served as our conscience, helping all of us tackle difficult issues in creative ways and to provide shared experiences that bring us closer to each other.
Our ability to connect with each other grows when we experience collective emotion through the arts. Help us support the arts in our local community, success for our students and cultural advancement on the western slope of Colorado.
Panel discussion: President Marshall sat down with diversity, inclusion and equity expert Dwinita Mosby Tyler, Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod, theatre arts department head Mo LaMee and students Isabel and Lauren to discuss the power of the arts and how they bring people together like few things do.
3
An Iconic Project
Carousel slider with 9 rotating slides.
Pause or play carousel rotation with button controls.
Slider control tabs. Use the left and right arrow keys to change the displayed slide. Press tab to preview slide.
New Theatre
New Theatre
Auditorium
Auditorium
Main lobby
Main lobby
Upper lobby
Donor room
Club level
4
Rebuild Benefits
The Ripple Effect
A new theatre...
-
Better prepares students for their careers.
-
Establishes CMU as a destination for high-quality music and theatre for prospective students.
-
Better connects local music and theatre nonprofits with our students, programs and facilities.
-
Allows CMU to bring the community together in a shared experience.
-
Allows CMU to bring world-class performances and touring groups to western Colorado.
-
Establishes CMU as the premier cultural arts center in western Colorado.
Cultivating talent
Three-time Grammy Award-winning artist and CMU alumnus, Kalani Pe'a, uses his talents to harness the power of the arts.
"Being a student at CMU was amazing, to learn from my peers and professors. I believe in the music department and the program and I believe in the education. I'm using my degree today!"
- Kalani Pe'a
Carousel slider with 2 rotating slides.
Pause or play carousel rotation with button controls.
Slider control tabs. Use the left and right arrow keys to change the displayed slide. Press tab to preview slide.
Grand Junction, CO
Olympia, WA
William S. Robinson started his career at Mesa College as a theatre professor in 1960, and worked tirelessly to build a viable theatre program for the students and the community. During his tenure, a new theatre was built in 1971 and would eventually bear his name after a dedication ceremony in 1993. Bill Robinson established the popular summer theatre program at the institution, which was an integral part of the theatre program for 30 years, and received the Distinguished Faculty Award in 1986 before his retirement in 1988. He passed away in 2015, leaving behind a legacy of student talent and a community’s love for the performing arts.