Vocal Arts Institute

Open Opera’s mission is to produce free professional opera, establish new audiences for classical music, and build community through the arts. Now in its third year, the organization has produced fully-staged opera performances with professional singers and full orchestral accompaniment in parks across the East Bay, reaching 6,000 audience members of all ages. Open Opera also provides an Opera Master Class series at Mills College in Berkeley. However, Artistic Director Olivia Stapp recently decided to resign from Open Opera; because of her key role in the organization – a role she played as a volunteer – the remaining Open Opera team has made the decision to cease operations at the end of the 2011 season. This tie-off grant will enable the organization to provide a final series of free concerts in public venues. (Project; Tie-off; $15,000 over 1 year; XX% of project budget)