As the season of gratitude approaches, we at the Hylton Performing Arts Center are reflecting on the many reasons we are thankful. From the Friends of the Hylton Center who help make our season possible to the volunteers in our community who give of their time behind-the-scenes to the artists who bring our stages to life, this month provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate the people and the partnerships that make us who we are. Here are five reasons why we are thankful this month, and every day of the year.
We are thankful for...
- 1.3 million visitors who have visited the Hylton Center since 2010. For the past fifteen years, our performance halls, art gallery, and rehearsal spaces have welcomed eager audiences and learners of all ages.
- 100,000 learners who have enriched their lives through the arts. Our Education Initiative recognizes the importance of learning at every stage of life. Whether it's attending an artist-led workshop or learning alongside a Mason Artist-in-Residence, people experience the power of the arts through the Hylton Center.
- 20,000 military-connected individuals who have attended a workshop or concert. For more than a decade, the Veterans and the Arts Initiative has been an essential outlet for creative expression, community building, and healing. The Initiative is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the military-connected community through free workshops and concerts.
- 100 passionate individuals who volunteered 3,300 service hours last year. From ushers and ticket takers on the front lines to Committee and Board members to individuals out in the community and behind the scenes, our dedicated Hylton Center volunteers are essential in helping us carry out our mission.
- Our dedicated and generous Friends of the Hylton Center ensure critical funding for dazzling performances, engaging events, and special opportunities that make the Hylton Center the institution that it is today.
While these are just a few reasons we are thankful this holiday season, they embody the foundational principles that uphold and energize the Hylton Center’s mission.
As the year draws to a close, we invite you to reflect on your philanthropic goals and consider making an impact at the Hylton Center. Your support goes beyond a simple financial contribution—it reflects the understanding that the arts nourish the soul and sharpen the mind, something our visitors and learners feel with every visit.
We thank each and every one of you for your support and wish you the happiest of holidays from the Hylton Performing Arts Center family to yours.