This Seat Is Yours: Crafton Hills College launches fundraiser in support of students in performing arts - Crafton Hills College

Publish Date: Nov. 5, 2023

Auditorium

The stage is almost set for Crafton Hills College’s all-new Finkelstein Performing Arts Center’s debut. But before the curtain lifts on the space in 2025, the Yucaipa-based college’s Foundation has put out the call for the community to sponsor a seat (or two).

Funds raised through the effort will go to support the future of the college’s Theater Arts Department, and each seat sponsored will include a personalized touch – a donor plate embossed with each donor’s name or name of their choosing.

“Donations are not for lights and overhead, but for support that helps students succeed,” explained Michelle Riggs, Crafton’s director of institutional advancement. “This endowment will enhance experiences for theatre, dance and music students and provide program expenses, impacting students in perpetuity.”

The fundraiser “is really exciting to see because this is a major investment in the time and effort the college has put into promoting the performing arts,” added CHC Theater Department Chair Paul Jacques. “This will benefit the performing arts at Crafton for the next 20 years.”

Donor plates are approximately 2.875 inches x 1.375 inches, and supporters can choose between one or two-year pledge options to make it easy and affordable to support the cause. For example, seats in rows A through C cost $1,000 per sponsorship, but donors can commit to a one-year pledge of $84 a month or a two-year pledge of $42 a month. Sponsorships can be made directly at www.craftonhills.edu/seat or by contacting the Foundation directly by email at chcfoundation@craftonhills.edu or by phone at 909-389-3245.

Crafton’s new 24,000 sq. ft. PAC stands on the site of the college’s old gym, which was demolished last year. The new performing space will house instructional spaces for music, theater and dance programming and was approved for construction in Sept. 2022, and the groundbreaking followed in May. 

The Crafton Hills College Foundation works year-round to raise funds for student-based scholarships, grants, and campus improvements. To learn more about the nonprofit, go to craftonhills.edu/foundation.