Annual Report 2006 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra

RevitalizingThe Detroit Symphony Orchestra has proven itself to be a major catalystfor the economic development and revitalization of the City of Detroit.With a total investment of more than $100 million in the eight-acreOrchestra Place campus, including the construction of the Max M. Fisher MusicCenter and the Orchestra Place office complex and parking deck, the DSO hascontributed towards the dramatic transformation of a neighborhood in just fiveyears. As a result, the DSO presence has helped leverage over $1 billion in newinvestment and 3,200 new or rehabilitated housing units in Midtown Detroit.The DSO has attracted newcapital investment, jobs, retail, cafés,streetscaping, destination signage,housing and new parking to the area byforming a unique consortium of nonprofitpartnerships. Land donated bythe DSO to the Detroit Public Schoolsresulted in the construction of a new$122.5 million, 1,200-student magnetarts and media high school, the DetroitSchool of Arts (DSA). Additional DSOpartners in the school are Detroit PublicTelevision and WRCJ-FM, Detroit’sclassical and jazz station. A partnershipwith the Detroit Medical Center and laterOrchestra Place:New Jobs, New CustomersDetroit Medical Center – 400U-M Detroit Center – 30U-M Pediatrics – 12Chase Bank – 10Detroit School of Arts – 50The Ellington Lofts – 75construction/ maintenanceTotal jobs: 577the University of Michigan-Detroit Center,led those organizations to establishheadquarters in Orchestra Place.Opened in 2005, the U-M DetroitCenter centralizes operations for 18different programs, including those fromthe School of Social Work, the TaubmanSchool of Architecture + Urban Planningand the School of Art and Design. Thefacility provides offices and space forclasses, meetings, exhibitions, lecturesand collaborative work while serving asa home base for students and facultyworking on projects in Detroit.Max M. Fisher Music Center, 2003Boarded up Orchestra Hall, circa 1970University of Michigan Detroit CenterCreating a critical mass of new arts,educational, business and residentialdevelopment, the DSO provides anappealing amenity for the immediatepopulation, and serves as a compellingattraction to hundreds of thousands ofvisitors from across Southeast Michiganand beyond.“Throughout Michiganwe have embracedthe value of artsand culture bothto enhance ourquality of life and tohelp spur economicdevelopment. The Detroit SymphonyOrchestra and its programs help createthe kind of vibrant communities wherepeople want to live, work and visit,spending their time as well as theirhard-earned dollars.”—Governor Jennifer Granholm“The Detroit SymphonyOrchestra is an iconin the economicrevitalization of themidtown district. Thesymphony’s investmentis much deeper thansimply bricks andmortar – Orchestra Hall and the MaxM. Fisher Music Center have been acatalyst for “feet on the street,” completelyre-invigorating the area. The DetroitSymphony Orchestra is much more thanan arts organization, it is a powerfulleader and partner in the community.”—George Jackson, President, DetroitEconomic Growth Corporation“Without question, theinterrelationship betweenthe Detroit SymphonyOrchestra and the Midtowndistrict is a proven modelthat demonstrates howarts and culture are a greatinvestment in the economic growth ofa community. Their participation inthe 2006 Detroit Festival of the Arts isclearly symbolic of their role in the overallrevitalization of Midtown Detroit.”—Susan T. Mosey, President,University Cultural CenterAssociation