Grand Teton Music Festival Campaign Aims to Build Endowment, Renovate Venue, Support Musicians – Symphony Magazine

In Wednesday’s (6/18) Jackson Hole News & Guide (Wyoming), Richard Anderson writes, “The Grand Teton Music Festival announced Tuesday that it has broken the 60% mark on its $57 million ‘Setting the Stage’ fundraising campaign to grow its endowment, add to its housing supply and make improvements to Walk Festival Hall.

The 64-year-old nonprofit is hoping to raise another $13 million by November to hit construction deadlines. Work will be completed by spring 2027. The bulk of the campaign total will go to Walk Hall, which marked its 50th anniversary last year.

This round [of renovations] was sparked by a 2020 examination of the hall’s fire suppression system, GTMF Executive Director Emma Kail [said]. Given the ‘significant scaffolding’ a sprinkler upgrade would require, the organization began to look at other areas. Some of the work includes seismic improvements, a new roof and a new electrical system. Other changes will address accessibility. The new entry will give a literal window into the hall for the thousands who pass by each day.

The third focus of the festival’s campaign is its endowment, which currently sits at about $12 million. Musician stipends have been stagnant at $450 a week since 2008. This year musicians will receive $750 a week, increasing to $900 a week.

read the full story