It will be located on property adjacent to and north of the Kalispell Center Mall that has been donated by Red Lion Hotels Corporation, subject to successful funding and construction. The three-acre property has room for the proposed performing arts center and parking spaces, which meet building requirements.

Soliciting pledges and donations from individuals, businesses and foundations that recognize the value of the performing arts center, will raise the bulk of the money. Grants will be sought and fundraiser functions will take place.

It is expected that the area to be served by the performing arts center will encompass the Flathead Valley and Northwest Montana, but also Southern Alberta and British Columbia, Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington. 

1. Feasibility studies indicate high local interest and usage. Findings include the following:
• October 2004, CDS Report –78% of interviewees from across the Flathead Valley (103 interviewed) indicated the facility is strongly needed or needed; 91% indicated they would consider a gift to the campaign; 83% were strongly supportive or supportive of the project, 14% were somewhat supportive, and 3% were not supportive.
• December 2002, ArtsMarket “Market and User Analysis Report” conservatively projected that there would be 28,400 visits per year to the PAC by local residents, based on a high of three visits/year to a low of two visits/year by individuals. Not calculated into this figure were visits by tourists, seasonal residents, conventioneers, school groups, and visitors from outside the immediate area.
• The ArtsMarket report summarized that the only leisure time option more highly desired than the arts in the Flathead Valley is outdoor recreation, i.e., a higher percentage of residents want to attend the arts than sports, church, civic activities, school based activities or do volunteer work.  Based on a public opinion survey conducted for the Montana Arts Council, 73% of Flathead County residents said they would definitely attend an arts or cultural activity in the following year. 
2. Eighty-one percent of U.S. adult travelers included cultural/arts/heritage activities at least once on trips in 2004, and of that percentage, 48% attended performing arts activities.  (U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Summit – October 2005. 
3. The planned acoustics and design of the PAC will be of a superior quality for destination events such as concerts, dance and ballet, classical and pop singers, artists, summer festivals, speakers, large convention opening sessions, and other activities that will draw large audiences from Northwest Montana and surrounding areas.
4. The lobby and the small auxiliary theater will allow a variety of activities, including receptions, meetings, performances, dances, lectures and displays.
5. The large seating capacity of the main performance hall will help keep ticket prices affordable. 
6. Earnings from the endowment fund will offset operating expenses.
7. A marketing campaign in the surrounding states and Canadian Provinces will emphasize linking a cultural trip to the Flathead along with enjoying the many and well recognized recreational, arts, dining, shopping, lodging, and small business activities

Considerations:

1. Potential donors are reminded that other organizations depend on their continued contributions.  GPAC encourages that support for a capital campaign is in addition to what donors ordinarily give to charities. 
2. The lead donor campaign is focused on individuals passionate about the arts, donors new to the current donor pool, donors who want to give gifts that provide a legacy of cultural enjoyment for generations, and those who recognize the value of a PAC to the area-wide economic base.
3. The performing arts center will have a positive economic impact on the community, including other not for profit organizations.  The center will be used by various organizations for fund raising events.

The Glacier Performing Arts Center, first and foremost, will provide a home for groups that are currently using venues such as school and church auditoriums and halls.  This will enable them to rent a facility that will accommodate a larger audience, will have easily accessible parking, and will be within walking distance of dining, shopping, and other downtown businesses. Today, organizations must adapt to the scheduling of school and church events and, commonly, cannot plan far ahead.  This precludes them from booking big names or talents who schedule well in advance.

The Glacier Performing Arts Center will provide a facility that is not currently available in this area. Because of its size, it will complement, not compete with, other venues.  Coordinated scheduling will minimize significant conflicts. Marketing will emphasize NW Montana as a cultural destination for visitors. 

Should the lack of lead donors dictate a change in direction for Glacier Performing Arts Center, Inc., the GPAC Board and Steering Committee would need to -

1. determine if a smaller scale will compete with, duplicate, or complement other valley venues;
2. recognize that a smaller venue would distinctly change the type of programming and how the performing arts center would be used;
3. establish whether it would be fiscally viable;
4. understand that there would be a significant change in the economic impact as currently envisioned;
5. re-think the potential long-term implications which come with a growing community;
6. assess the status of the land gift; and,
7. determine if there would be donor and leadership support for a scaled-down center.

No doubt, other questions would arise.

Pledges for the $27 million capital campaign and endowment funds may be sent to Steve Stahlberg, Treasurer, Glacier Performing Arts Center, Inc., P.O. Box 1762, Kalispell, MT 59903-1762. Pledges of more than $250 may be paid over a three-year period, or beyond three years upon request.

Donations are tax deductible. Appropriate documentation will be sent to the donor for tax purposes. Glacier Performing Arts Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not- for -profit organization.

Gifts of shares of stock can be transferred into the GPAC Account #33526625 at D.A. Davidson.

GPAC Federal Tax ID # is 33-100-4744.