For 150 years, the Lobero Theatre has enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with the wonderful arts organizations that perform on its stage. The Community Access Fund (CAF) supports a vibrant arts scene and fosters a new generation of artists and audiences that will significantly impact the future of the industry. The CAF will allow the theater to meaningfully subsidize the community’s use of the Lobero, reducing their expenses and allowing them to focus their limited resources on production and audience development – thereby strengthening the health and growth of each organization.

The Lobero’s remarkable sesquicentennial represents a key milestone in the city’s cultural timeline. The building itself is the Lobero Theatre Foundation’s greatest asset and the main focus of its stewardship. The Building Maintenance Endowment ensures that a significant annual investment is made toward the building’s technical systems and historic aesthetics. Every effort will be made to prioritize maintaining state-of-the-art technology, while honoring the unique architectural design created by George Washington Smith and Lutah Maria Riggs. This vital fund will systematically reduce the need for a major capital campaign.

Several major capital needs have developed since the last capital campaign in 2013, including a new LED lighting system and the addition of solar panels. Once the Building Maintenance Endowment is fully funded, it will be possible to address system upgrades on an annual basis. Immediate capital priorities include facility security measures, courtyard enhancement, exterior painting of the theater, stage floor replacement, PA (Public Address) system improvements, and green room refurbishment. These goals strengthen the Lobero Theatre’s capacity to serve its mission, while adding stability to its annual financial position.