
Thirty years ago, the Opera House Fund was established to raise necessary funds to help the Lexington Center Corporation acquire and renovate the Lexington Opera House. This historic downtown facility was purchased in 1976, as part of the Lexington Center Corporation (an agency of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government). The theatre was restored to its original grandeur and reborn to become the vital cultural center it was meant to be, currently serving an average of 80,000 patrons annually.
Founded by W.T. Young and George and Linda Carey, the Opera House Fund has provided approximately $4.2 million during the past three decades to support local performing arts groups and professional touring artists on the Opera House stage.
Since the original renovation and restoration in 1976, the Lexington Center Corporation has maintained and improved the facility, investing over $2 million, including a major lobby and restroom addition in 2001. At this time, further upgrades and renovations are necessary to maintain heavy utilization, and to meet current industry standards.
| Major Gift Categories | |
| Angels | $50,000 minimum donation |
| Benefactors | $25,000 minimum donation |
| Founders | $10,000 minimum donation |
| * Names of major gift contributers will be inscribed on a bronze plaque at the Lexington Opera House | |
For more information call (859) 233-4567 x3287
Donations should be made payable to:
The Opera House Fund
c/o Dean Dorton & Ford PSC
106 West Vine Street
Suite 600
Lexington, KY 40507
Opera House Fund Board
W.T. Young, Jr. – Chairman
Linda Carey
Doug Dean
Jim Host
Bob Slone
Bob Warren