Memberships
Learn more about our membership programs and benefits.
Our mission is to present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region while preserving one of our region’s historically significant landmarks. We believe that providing access to artistic diversity enriches the quality of life in our community. We offer high-quality programming at an affordable price, and work to ensure the long-term financial strength of the Opera House through a responsible balance of earned income and contributed support.
In addition to the satisfaction of supporting a worthy organization, there are several benefits of membership in the 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center. These benefits increase as the level of membership increases, and are outlined on the Become a Member Today page.
Please contact the Box Office at (716) 679-1891 for more information on becoming a member of the Opera House.
More Ways to Support Us
Your donations help fund our programming and ensure that we can continue to enrich the community for years to come. Your support makes a difference, and we are grateful for every contribution. In addition to donations, there are many other ways to show your support. You can become a volunteer and help us with everything from ushering to fundraising. You can also support us by attending our performances and events, and by spreading the word about the Opera House to your friends and family.
Donations
The Opera House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To make a fully tax-deductible donation to the Opera House, send a check in any amount to: 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center PO Box 384 Fredonia, NY 14063. Or, to contribute using a credit card, click on the Donate button below.
The Gloria Garretson Memorial Fund
To honor their late mother’s devotion to the Opera House, Gloria Garretson’s children, Kate and Scott, have created the Gloria Garretson Memorial Fund at the Opera House. The Fund supports the presentation of those programs Gloria championed and supported during her visits to the Opera House, particularly the Bach & Beyond Baroque Music Festival, the Live at the Met Series and the Stage on Screen Series of theatre and ballet satellite broadcasts. Contributions to the Fund can be made in any amount at any time through the Opera House Box Office or through the Donate button below.
Dave C. Bryant Memorial Capital Fund
David Bryant was a longtime supporter and member of the Opera House, having been involved in its restoration as a volunteer during the 1980s and 90s. To honor his contribution to the Opera House, David’s family created the David C. Bryant Memorial Capital Fund. In recognition of David’s engineering and planning background, the Fund will be used to advance the technological and physical aspects of the Opera House, in order to support the continued presentation of quality performances and to ensure patron comfort. Contributions to the Fund can be made in any amount at any time through the Opera House Box Office or through the Donate button below.
Dr. Irene’s Piggy Bank Challenge
Each year, when June rolls around, Dr. Irene Strychalski delivers her piggy bank full of change to the Opera House to support the annual Bach & Beyond Baroque Music Festival. In an effort to broaden support for the Festival, Dr. Irene has challenged others to do the same. Start saving anytime you want; and you don’t have to use an actual “piggy” bank. You can use a mason jar, a coffee can, an old cigar box. Then bring your container in sometime in early June (or drop it off at the annual Bach BBQ, Bake Sale and Basket Auction). We’ll empty it and count the contents. It’s surprising how quickly spare change adds up!
Cans & Bottles to Can Kings
Like the Piggy Bank Challenge, here’s another way spare change can help support the Opera House. Can Kings on East Main Street in Fredonia will take your returnable cans & bottles and put the nickels they earn in a special envelope for the Opera House. Whether you save your own cans & bottles or collect discarded ones when out walking the dog (as one of our Board members does), you can simply drop them off at Can Kings and tell them to put the money toward the Opera House. No need even to wait for them to be counted. Every few months the Opera House picks up its envelope, often with more than $100 in it … all collected a nickel at a time!
Endowment Funds
In an effort to ensure the future of the 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center and its unique position as a gathering place for community activities, five endowment funds have been established at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation: the 1891 Fredonia Opera House Fund, the Romayne L. & James R. Barrett Fund, the Carol & Jim Boltz Endowment Fund for the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, the Virginia W. Maytum Fund, and the Francis J. & Shirley A. Wozniak 1891 Fredonia Opera House Fund. Contributions to any of these funds can be made in cash or appreciated property, such as stocks. The principal of your gift is carefully invested and protected, while the interest generated supports the operation of the Opera House on an annual basis. For more information, contact Opera House Executive Director Rick Davis at 716-679-0891 or the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation at 716-366-4892.