GALA FOR FRONT PORCH ARTS AND CENTRAL SQUARE theater
Two Companies, One Gala!
Join us for the Front Porch Arts Collective and Central Square Theater Gala.
MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024
WBUR CitySpace
Registration and Cocktails & Cuisine | 6:30pm
Performances, Honorees, Auction, and Paddle Raise | 7:30 - 9:00p
Performances, Honorees, Auction, and Paddle Raise | 7:30 - 9:00p
The Front PORCH Arts Collective
CORNERSTONE AWARD
Honoring Dr. Makeeba McCreary | President, New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund
Dr. Makeeba McCreary serves as President of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund (NCF). The New Commonwealth Fund was founded in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. When faced with these twin crises, nineteen of Massachusetts’ leading Black and Brown executives launched NCF with a collective goal - to fight systemic racism differently. In just four short years, NCF has invested $13 million into more than 150 Black and Brown-led non-profits across the Commonwealth.
Prior to leading NCF, Makeeba spent two and a half years with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA). In her role she focused on audience development and integrating diverse perspectives through the lens of art. Prior to joining the MFA, Makeeba served as Chief of Staff and External Relations for the Boston Public Schools, and designed and managed philanthropic investment for global brands such as Nike, Jordan Brand, the National Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Darden Inc. |
The Margret and H.A. Rey Curiosity Award
Amplifying leaders of ingenuity, creativity, and curiosity in the legacy of Margret and H.A. Rey, authors of the beloved Curious George book series.
Honoring Stephanie Couch | Executive Director, Lemelson-MIT
Stephanie Couch, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Lemelson-MIT Program. In this role, she leads a team which helps educators and students across the U.S. learn ways inventors find and solve important problems.
She has dedicated her career to K-12 and higher education policy issues and is an active participant in a national invention education research group. Her research as an ethnographer in education focuses on issues that are key to advancing equity within the field of invention education and STEM learning opportunities. She studies ways invention education impacts students (especially those underrepresented in STEM fields), schools, and local communities. She also works to understand the developmental trajectory of inventors as opposed to their inventions. Locally, she spearheaded the creation of the Foundry Consortium that is operating the new community center for STEM and the arts in Cambridge, MA which opened to the public in fall 2022. Prior to joining the Lemelson-MIT Program, Couch was the Interim Associate Vice President of Research and Professional Development at California State University, East Bay, served as Bayer Executive Director of the Institute for STEM Education, and was the Director for Gateways East Bay STEM Network. These opportunities came about as a result of her work to develop new approaches to teaching and learning with technologies while employed by the Corporation for Education Networking Initiatives in California (CENIC). |
Performances Featuring:
Maurice Emmanuel Parent (Co- Producing Artistic Director of The Porch and most recently seen in Angels in America), Jackson Jirard (from the cast of Ain’t Misbehavin’), and Sheree Marcelle (Ain’t Misbehavin’ and the upcoming next to normal), Alexandria Danielle King ( from the cast of Pipeline), Davron S. Monroe (currently cast member of A Strange Loop), and Kira Sarai Helper (from the cast of Ain’t Misbehavin’). Joined by Kaedon Gray, Dan Rodriguez, Dan Callahan, and the Youth Underground Ensemble.
Tickets and Sponsorship Information
Your gala ticket and/or sponsorship supports not just one company but two! Central Square Theater and Front Porch Arts Collective are collaborating once again and all gala proceeds will be split 50/50.
Gala Ticket: $250
Cocktail & Cuisine Reception; Gala Program Seating.
General Admission: $150
Cocktail & Cuisine Reception; Standing Room Only. Limited Availability.
Sponsor an Artist: $150
Help support a Greater Boston artist to join the party! Limited Availability.
Cocktail & Cuisine Reception; Gala Program Seating.
General Admission: $150
Cocktail & Cuisine Reception; Standing Room Only. Limited Availability.
Sponsor an Artist: $150
Help support a Greater Boston artist to join the party! Limited Availability.
Unable to join us? Your gift to the Gala supports Central Square Theater and Front Porch Arts Collective. All contributions are 100% tax deductible.
attend as a sponsor
$2,500 | $5,000 | $10,000
Sponsor Levels include Reserved Seating, Social Media Spotlights, Gala Program Ad; and exclusive benefits commensurate with the sponsorship level.
Questions about Accessible Seating and Sponsorships? Please contact Maggie Moore Abdow, Director of Development
[email protected]
617-576-9278 ext. 208
[email protected]
617-576-9278 ext. 208
Front Porch Arts Collective r is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Our Tax-Exempt I.D. is 85-3300505. Gala benefits offered have a “fair market value” which is not tax deductible. Please take note of the following fair market values: $10,000 Sponsor: $2000; $5000 Sponsor: $1200; $2500 Sponsor: $800; Gala Attendee: $200.
In accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidance, a distribution from a donor advised fund may not be used to pay for any portion of an in-person event ticket or sponsorship. As with any philanthropic decision, we encourage you to consult with your own tax/financial advisor.
Sponsors for making this celebration of collaboration possible!
(as of May 8th, 2024)
Gala Gold Sponsors
Berkshire Partners
Paul Kastner & Katherine MacLeod
Carolyn Mugar
Laura Roberts & Ed Belove
Robert & Shari Thurer
Catalyst Collaborative @ MIT Sponsor
Philip Khoury, Chair, Advisory Committee, Ford International Professor of History, Associate Provost, MIT
Gala Sponsors
Betsy & Joel Bard
Eastern Bank
Betsy Groban
Kimberly Holliday & Greg Netland
Ross & Kirstin Krinsky
Jane Minasian & J. Grant Monahon
MP2 Print Solutions
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund
(as of May 8th, 2024)
Gala Gold Sponsors
Berkshire Partners
Paul Kastner & Katherine MacLeod
Carolyn Mugar
Laura Roberts & Ed Belove
Robert & Shari Thurer
Catalyst Collaborative @ MIT Sponsor
Philip Khoury, Chair, Advisory Committee, Ford International Professor of History, Associate Provost, MIT
Gala Sponsors
Betsy & Joel Bard
Eastern Bank
Betsy Groban
Kimberly Holliday & Greg Netland
Ross & Kirstin Krinsky
Jane Minasian & J. Grant Monahon
MP2 Print Solutions
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund