Since its establishment 46 years ago, the Woodruff Arts Center has never seen a grant the size of the one that it was awarded earlier this month.

Top benefactor, the Robert. W. Woodruff Foundation, gave the grant to the Art Center in order to kick-start a fundraising campaign of at least $82 million. The campaign aims to boost the Art Center’s endowment by over $50 million, while investing $32 million in capital improvements. The $32 million in improvements will mainly go towards transforming the Alliance Theater.

Atlanta’s Arts Center is the largest cultural syndicate in the Southeast, and is comprised of four divisions: the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Alliance Theater, High Museum of Art, and Arts for Learning.

Residents from all over the State of Georgia and even from out-of-state, flock to the Arts Center for the many performances that they showcase year round.

Chairman of the Arts Center board of trustees Doug Hertz, says that the grant is an amazing gift because the Arts Center has so many initiatives that it needs help funding. Hertz also hopes that this donation will help encourage other donations.

The donation has helped allow for the reconstruction of the 46-year-old Alliance Theater, and President of the Woodruff Foundation Russ Hardin, says that the goals for the auditorium’s reconstruction were to make the audience more intimately connected with the stage and performances, create artistic excellence, and create a sense of community.

If you are moving to Atlanta, the Woodruff Arts Center will be featuring “A Christmas Carol” throughout the entire month. Local moving companies also recommend catching one of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concerts or the “It’s A Wonderful Laugh” show, also shown throughout the month.