The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center (LVPAC) announced a remarkably successful 2015 with financial results exceeding expectations and other measures increasing as well. At the beginning of 2015, facing an annual budget that anticipated a loss of $297,000, the management and staff of LVPAC instead set an ambitious goal: to break-even for the year by raising community involvement, increasing individual donations, broadening audience, and reducing costs. Financial statements for 2015 show that LVPAC’s operating budget not only broke even but, in fact, achieved a surplus of approximately $10,000. Although financial statements will not be completely audited until April and do not include depreciation, the numbers demonstrate a significant leap forward for LVPAC and position the organization well for ongoing success.

By engaging with the community on all levels, support and involvement increased for both the Bankhead Theater and the Bothwell Arts Center. LVPAC ended the year with 825 members, the highest membership on record, up from 677 a year prior. A $100,000 Challenge for the Arts appeal, funded by an anonymous donor in November, raised an amount far higher than the match. Propelled by Giving Tuesday in December and additional matching funds, the Challenge for the Arts appeal alone netted donations of $398,610.92 for LVPAC in 2015.

“The entire staff has worked hard to turn things around. In every aspect, across the organization, we’ve looked for opportunities that would help meet the goal,” said Scott Kenison, Executive Director of LVPAC. According to Kenison, who was appointed to the position just over a year ago, enhanced community engagement provided the foundation for the successful year. “Support was not just demonstrated by increased individual contributions or show attendance,” he added. “The Levitt AMP Grant process was another example.” LVPAC sought the nationally-offered grant to expand the outdoor summer concert series co-sponsored with LCAC. Online voting by members of the Tri-Valley community, which was to be considered a key indicator in Levitt’s assessment, raised Livermore into the Top 25 applicants from across the country.

“Although LVPAC did not make it to the final round, the response from our community was immediate and proved again their heartfelt support for our efforts,” added Kenison. Theater-goers at the Bankhead still largely come from Livermore and Pleasanton, but the appeal of the shows and lively downtown nightlife have also helped broaden audience base. Zip code analysis shows that the percentage of ticket buyers living outside these two cities has continued to increase each year.

The number of LVPAC Presents shows that are profitable also increased by 19 percent. “People sitting in the audience may assume that because the theater is not completely filled, LVPAC is losing money on a show. But this isn’t necessarily true,” said Kenison. “We work hard to book artists that are both exciting and cost effective. If a group has low travel or production costs or will negotiate to share box-office instead of a straight fee, we don’t have to sell every seat to be profitable. Not only are these shows fiscally beneficial for us, they allow us to offer a richer, more diverse program. We can take creative risks we couldn’t otherwise, bringing wonderful shows whose appeal might be more limited than our usual programs. Our efforts in this area have been a win-win for everyone.”

Providing better support and greater visibility for the nine resident companies of the Bankhead has also been beneficial. As a whole, ticket sales for resident company shows increased five percent in 2015. Weaving LVPAC Presents shows together with the broad offerings of the resident companies gives Bankhead audiences a wider range of performances, from small chamber music ensembles and local soloists, to major acts such as comedian Paula Poundstone and hot bands like Pink Martini.

Added Kenison, “While it is tremendously rewarding for everyone at LVPAC to have not just met the goal we set for ourselves but to have exceeded it, the greatest return is knowing that we have established a path that will secure the Bankhead and Bothwell’s future in the Livermore community for a long time to come.”  Plans for 2016 include the new Film Festival to take place in May, the launch of LVPAC Presents’ 10th Season, a celebratory 10th Anniversary Gala in September, and many more events and initiatives.

 

The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center provides a breadth of programs that give access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. LVPAC Presents offers a diverse variety of exceptional music, dance and theatrical performances at the Bankhead Theater each year. The Bankhead Theater and the Bothwell Arts Center are home to nine resident performing arts companies and over 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors. Between them, they have offered more than 500 public activities each year, from classes and workshops, to concerts, festivals and performances, as well as ArtWalk and extensive educational arts outreach. A list of upcoming performances at the Bankhead Theater, as well as activities at the Bothwell Arts Center, is available online at www.lvpac.org or via the new LVPAC mobile app.