THELMA kicks into second gear with programming campaign

It starts with a vision. Then you need a dedicated group of people in the room that agree what they are about to embark on will be great. It will be great for Fond du Lac, it will be great for the region and it will be great for Wisconsin.

And it is.

Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts (THELMA), in downtown Fond du Lac, opened its brand new doors in September. Since then, thousands of guests have made their way through the nearly 40,000 square foot facility by attending concerts, films, events, art exhibits, meetings, or just one of the free tours offered every Wednesday at 2 pm.

“What we hear from most people who visit is that they ‘can’t believe this is in Fond du Lac,’ ” said Kevin Miller, THELMA executive director. “However, like the meaning behind the unfinished ‘A’ in our logo, there is more to come.”

With a major gift from the Sadoff Family Foundation and other key donors, THELMA has realized significant economic opportunities available due to the increased demand for events and rentals. A limitation of space severely hindered these opportunities in the past.

Live indoor and outdoor entertainment, increased accessibility to the arts, expanded classrooms, and a dynamic new art gallery featuring international and national exhibits are found at THELMA. An exhibit from a Paris photographer is in the top floor of the Contemporary Wing until March 30. Other capital improvements include high-end audio-visual capabilities, and expanded bars and dressing rooms, making it a state-of-the-art facility for corporate events and a premier wedding destination.

Now that the building is completed and open, THELMA is kicking into second gear with a campaign for community support of THELMA programming. The campaign was announced at the THELMA Annual Meeting February 18.

“This was always part of the plan,” Miller said. “We received tremendous support from donors who realize the possibilities of having a major arts center in Fond du Lac. The next step is to gain community support.”

THELMA is already on that path with over 1,200 members – more than four times the number they had when they were Windhover Center for the Arts,

Miller said. Also, revenue generated by rental spaces and events also contributes to THELMA’s mission of making the arts accessible. THELMA offers over 100 free arts-related activities, including one of the state’s most active poetry collectives, free access to the Contemporary Wing every first Thursday of the month, and free artist’s receptions.

For residents, THELMA is a cool place to go. For businesses, THELMA is another gem for them to point to when hiring and trying to expand their business in Fond du Lac, Miller said. For the Fond du Lac area to continue to enjoy an enriched quality of life and for THELMA to become an engine of economic growth and development, community support is necessary, he added.

There are many ways to support THELMA including membership, donations, naming rights opportunities, and sponsorships of events and programs.

“THELMA is here for the community. Now is the time for the community to embrace THELMA,” Miller said.