Park City Performing Arts Foundation Changes Name to Park City Institute

It's official. Park City Performing Arts Foundation (PCPAF) has a brand new name:Park City Institute (PCI). Founded in 1994, Park City Performing Arts Foundation began as an entity primarily dedicated to presenting edgy and internationally acclaimed performing artists to Utah audiences. And now its mission has expanded.

"We have chosen a name that better reflects what we do and who we've grown to become," says PCI executive director Teri Orr. "We have evolved into an organization exploring and presenting so much more than performing arts. We run a volunteer, afterschool, free literacy center. We present internationally renowned speakers at TEDx conferences. We delve into ideas that connect us to a global community. And, no, we have never been a granting entity, which is why we have abandoned the term 'foundation' in our name."

What has not changed: Park City Institute continues to present internationally acclaimed music, dance, theater, comedy, speakers and family entertainment at The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts from September through May; and St. Regis Big Stars, Bright Nights concerts at Deer Valley Resort's Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater during the summer months. Student and community outreach performances, workshops and lecture-demonstrations are still a vital part of the performing arts aspect of this non-profit organization.

What's new: Since 2010, Park City Institute has run the Mega-Genius Supply Store and IQ HQ (a free, afterschool literacy center on Swede Alley). The organization presents TEDx events; curates Curiosities evenings (intimate gatherings at homes and small venues, which combine intellectual and culinary explorations); and partners with fellow forward-thinking organizations such as Strategic News Service.

"The name, Park City Institute, was owned by Mark and Mary Beth Maziarz, both of whom are incredible artists as well as great supporters of Park City Performing Arts Foundation and the Park City community in general," says Orr. "They have graciously turned the name over to our organization and we are so grateful. We look forward to growing our programming in a thoughtful way that reflects a local institute with global influences."

Park City Institute continues to be based in Park City, UT. For more information on upcoming PCI events, visit www.ecclescenter.org or call 435-655-8252.

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