Beach Chairs, Blankets, and Butterfly
Catalyst
From the CEO
San Francisco’s
reputation as a destination
city is strongly tied
to our flourishing arts
and culture scene. On
a given day, visitors can hop from modern
art to ancient Asian ceramics; choose
among ballet, opera, and theater; and
learn the inside story of our world-class
symphony from the Maestro himself on
the radio.
Since its inception, Koret has been a proud supporter not only of the arts establishment but of smaller, more experimental arts organizations as well. We take special joy in helping arts organizations pursue innovative directions. San Francisco Opera’s new Koret Media Suite, which brings opera simulcasts to public spaces and to the Internet, is an example of this commitment; the San Francisco Symphony’s acclaimed radio program, The MTT Files, which we will support for the next three years, is another.
Our support for the arts in the Bay Area has surpassed $44.6 million to date. We take pleasure in the arts just like everyone else; we invest in the arts to help strengthen the regional economy, which creates opportunity for us all. When our cultural scene is alive and well, our Bay Area economy thrives, reaping benefits for the entire community.
Jeffrey A. Farber, CEO
Koret Foundation
Koret Fund
More than 20,000 people enjoyed free opera under the stars last year thanks to a $1.5 million grant to back an innovative alliance between the Koret Foundation and San Francisco Opera.
With additional support provided by Tad and Dianne Taube, the Koret Media Suite uses digital media to create new ways of viewing and interacting with this very traditional art form to help expand and diversify San Francisco Opera’s audience. On May 27, 2006, an enormous 18-by-25-foot LED screen hung in front of San Francisco City Hall, and over 8,000 spectators gathered in Civic Center Plaza with blankets, beach chairs,and picnics to watch the free simulcast of the company’s season opener, Madama Butterfly.
On October 6, San Francisco Opera broadcast Rigoletto not only to the Civic Center audience but also at Stanford University’s Frost Amphitheater. A large video screen in the open-air, tree-lined amphitheater received the high-quality images and sound via satellite. An additional 12,000 people—many of whom were first-time opera-goers—attended this performance.
The Koret Media Suite is believed to be the first in-house media suite project of its kind in the country. In the coming months, several other technical applications made possible by this investment will be unveiled. Koret is pleased to provide major support for this groundbreaking initiative in audience development and outreach.