Darden Restaurants Foundation, Inc. announced today that it will donate $5 nillion over 5 years to help build the Dr. Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center (DPAC) in the heart of downtown Orlando.
This donation is in addition to Darden's current support of the Orlando Ballet, the Orlando Opera, the Orlando Philanthropic, and more than 20 other Central Florida performing arts organizations. As part of the donation, the performing arts center will name its box office after Bill and Mary Darden. The Darden family helped found and build Orlando-based restaurants into the world's largest casual-dining restaurant company, benefiting Central Florida ever since.
"We thank Darden Restaurants for its long-term commitment to the performing arts in Central Florida." said DPAC Board Chairman Jim Pugh. "Investing in the arts is vital, and Darden's $5 million donation helps ensure our community continues to prosper, attract creative talent andDarden pledge comes at critical juncture.
This donation comes at a critical juncture, as DPAC boosters are raising private funds that will help make this project a reality. To achieve its fundraising goal, the nonprofit is currently seeking $100 million from private contributors – such as Darden – to fund the $376-million project. Darden’s gift brings the total amount of charitable contributions raised to $54.5 million.
Since 1988, Darden Restaurants Foundation has given more than $45 million to support community nonprofits around the country, and since 1995 has given more than $9 million to arts organizations. Florida beneficiaries include various arts organizations ranging from the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra to the Zora Neale Hurston Festival. In addition, Darden Restaurants provides support to local arts groups such as Ola and Casa de Mexico.
Working as a team, Bill and Mary Darden helped found and support their namesake company, which has grown over the past 39 years from one Red Lobster restaurant in Lakeland, Florida, into the world’s largest casual dining company in sales and market share.
“By naming the performing arts center box office after Bill and Mary Darden, we recognize their long-standing commitment to the community,” said Dr. Rita Bornstein, a member of the executive committee of the DPAC board of directors. “Every healthy community needs people like the Dardens who believe in the greater good and act on that commitment.”
DPAC will be home to the region’s resident organizations’ performances, including the Orlando Philharmonic, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Opera and Festival of Orchestras. In addition, it will provide a venue for touring shows. The performing arts center plans to develop a mixed-use urban arts facility with two large performance halls, a 300-seat theater, educational facilities and a public plaza for outdoor performances.
“Darden has always been committed to improving the well-being of our friends and neighbors throughout Central Florida,” said Former Darden Chairman and CEO Joe Lee who lives in Central Florida and is a member of the executive committee of the DPAC board of directors. “We all believe that a world-class performing arts center will become a place where local and national artists can benefit children and families and promote the rich cultural diversity of our community.”
The Dr. P. Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center (DPAC), a 501(c) 3 nonprofit corporation, is responsible to design, build and operate a performing arts center in Orlando. The vision of DPAC is to develop a destination that elevates the arts, provides the best arts education, generates urban renewal, and most importantly, is programmed to be fiscally responsible in construction and operations. For more information about the DPAC initiative, please visit www.orlandopac.org.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) of Orlando, Fla., owns and operates more than 1,400 Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Smokey Bones and Seasons 52 restaurants and employs more than 160,000 people.
Of the 30 largest markets in the United States, Orlando is the only city without a signiture performing arts center.
"Darden is in the business of nourishing people _ and that means nourishing their hearts and minds through the arts as well," said Darden Restaurants Chairman and CEO Clarence Otis, Jr. "Central Florida needs a world-class setting that will nourish our community through arts, culture and educational events. That's why we are so pleased to be a part of this project."