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Beckman Foundation Commits $250,000 to Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Five-year Agreement Extends Lead Support for Beckman Arts and Science Family Festival

The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation announced a five-year partnership agreement with Segerstrom Center for the Arts that continues its lead support for the Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival via a $250,000 major gift. The Foundation was the Title Sponsor for the inaugural and second years of the free, family event which celebrates the connections between arts and science through engaging performances, interactive exhibits, hands-on STEAM activities, food, and fun. The gift will provide funding for administrative and support efforts related to production of the 2024 through 2028 events.

AMBF Gift to SCFTA_photo by Joesan Diche_edits by AMBF
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"The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation is committed to encouraging the next generation to approach science and technology with curiosity and excitement to unlock the full creative potential of tomorrow's inventors and explorers. The team at Segerstrom Center for the Arts understands the importance of programming that focuses on the intersection of STEM and the arts and the role it can play in kids' conceptual development, communication skills, emotional maturity, and career pathways. We're proud to provide this substantial gift and to extend our partnership, working together to further engage the young minds of our community in approachable and fun ways."

Dr. Anne Hultgren, Executive Director of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is an innovative, nonprofit arts organization committed to supporting artistic excellence, creating impactful educational programs, and dedicated to engaging a culturally connected, inclusive and vital Orange County community for all, through the power of live performance. The Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival represents one of the Center's diverse festival offerings held on its multi-disciplinary campus in Costa Mesa, California, on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza.

"Our 2023 Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival was the largest free public event on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza in Segerstrom Center's History, welcoming over 2,000 children and their families. We are so grateful to the Arnold & Mabel Beckman Foundation for their commitment to this Festival for the next five years and for their shared belief that the intersections between science and arts unlock limitless potential for creative problem solving and exploration. We are thrilled to continue this wonderful partnership."

Talena Mara, Vice President of Education at Segerstrom Center for the Arts

The Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 12:30pm-3:30pm Pacific.

About the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Located in Irvine, California, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supports researchers and nonprofit research institutions in making the next generation of breakthroughs in chemistry and the life sciences. Founded in 1977 by 20th century scientific instrumentation pioneer Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, the Foundation supports United States institutions and young scientists whose creative, high-risk, and interdisciplinary research will lead to innovations and new tools and methods for scientific discovery. For more information, visit beckman-foundation.org.

About Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is an innovative, nonprofit arts organization committed to supporting artistic excellence, creating impactful educational programs, and dedicated to engaging a culturally connected, inclusive, and vital Orange County community for all, through the power of live performance. As the leading cultural arts hub, the Center presents a variety of programming with performances by international dance companies, Broadway national tours, jazz and cabaret musicians, chamber orchestras and ensembles, comedy, and speaker series. Through the Education and Community Engagement departments, the Center also delivers family-friendly programming and performances on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza; these events include outdoor movie screenings, concerts, dance classes, diverse festivals, and more. With six venues on a beautiful multi-disciplinary campus, Segerstrom Center for the Arts proudly serves as the artistic home to three of the region's major performing arts organizations: Pacific Symphony, Philharmonic Society of Orange County, and Pacific Chorale as well as two independently acclaimed organizations: Tony Award® winning South Coast Repertory and the Orange County Museum of Art. Segerstrom Center is also home to the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School and Studio D, Arts School for All Abilities.

Media Contact

Kaerie Ray, Beckman Foundation, 949-560-4232, [email protected]