The Badger Herald: News: Overture Center expands program

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Overture Center expands program

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By Jacquelyn Ryberg
Friday, February 22, 2008 1:05 a.m.

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The Overture Center set a strategic plan Thursday evening to broaden involvement in downtown Madison over the next few years.

Tom Carto, director of the Overture Center, presented a plan for the center to expand cultural diversity and community connection within the next three to five years.

“We are looking for those connections with the community that make sense to have the Overture Center a part of the events that are well-known and well-loved,” Carto said.

According to Carto’s presentation, the Overture Center, a multi-faceted structure supporting various artistic programs and performances, hosts nearly 1.5 million people annually and presents about 200 shows per year.

“For downtown residents, including students, we have a broad income base and diverse cultural base,” said Megan Christiansen, arts and culture subcommittee lead. “I think it is wonderful that this facility is right in our backyard and that it can become more accessible to the people that live here.”

The strategic plan Carto proposed includes creating a more inviting atmosphere and promoting image-building.

“We rescaled all of our programs to provide low-cost tickets for every program,” Carto said.

Carto added the Overture Center is also trying to attract student interest by offering free programs.

“Our festivals are a good outlet for UW students. There are a lot of opportunities for UW students to utilize the Overture Center without spending any money,” Carto said.

According to Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, the Center had previous issues regarding inaccessibility, but it is now a friendly, welcoming environment.

“I think it is a wonderful asset for not only the city of Madison, but also the students,” Judge said. “The Overture Center has been doing a very good job of doing outreach to the lower income and student population, and I think it is worth our time and worth our money.”

As students look to find other entertainment outlets, Carto said they should take advantage of all the Overture Center’s programs.

“I think you’ll find in our next season programming that there is a lot of opportunity for UW students to see more creative, more edgy, more alternative programming,” Carto said. “I think we’ll get a good response.”