Lyric Opera of Chicago Receives $20 Million Gift From The Negaunee Foundation

Lyric Opera of Chicago has received a historic $20 million gift from The Negaunee Foundation, the philanthropic organization of Richard W. Colburn and his wife, Robin Colburn, marking a major investment in the company’s commitment to education and artistic excellence. This extraordinary contribution establishes two main cornerstone funds that will shape Lyric’s impact across Chicago and on stage for decades to come.

Half of the gift will create The Negaunee Education Endowment, providing perpetual support for Lyric’s education programs, which will be newly named Negaunee Education Programs at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Serving students, families, and educators across Chicago and the broader region, this funding will expand in-school and family programming while deepening existing partnerships with organizations such as the Merit School of Music and supporting a new collaboration with the Music Institute of Chicago.

The remaining $10 million will establish The Negaunee Fund for Mozart, a dedicated contribution supporting an annual presentation of a Mozart opera as part of Lyric’s season. This philanthropic investment will enable both the revival of existing works and the development of new productions, including potential future stagings of the Mozart/Da Ponte trilogy, ensuring the enduring presence of Mozart’s work at Lyric at the highest artistic level.

The gift also supports Lyric’s evolving youth-focused initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to creating new pathways for inclusive programming throughout Chicago. Additional details about expanded partnerships and programmatic impact will be announced in the coming weeks.

In recognition of his extraordinary generosity and lifelong commitment to education and the arts, Richard W. Colburn was awarded Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Carol Fox Lifetime Achievement Award, the company’s highest honor. The award was bestowed by Lyric’s Board of Directors at its annual meeting in May.

Richard W. Colburn’s philanthropic leadership has had a profound impact across Chicago’s cultural landscape, with a longstanding dedication to supporting childhood music, education, and the performing arts. His latest gift to Lyric underscores a deep belief in the power of opera to inspire, educate, and connect communities. He also serves as an executive committee member on the Lyric Board of Directors. For more information on Lyric education programs, please visit lyricopera.org/education.
 

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