The Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB) recently announced the receipt of a gift of $1 million to its endowment fund from the estate of Peter M. Wege, who was a longtime patron and supporter of Grand Rapids Ballet. Wege, who passed away in July at the age of 94, had a passion for arts and culture, education and the environment in Grand Rapids.
“Peter M. Wege was a true blessing to our organization and the community at large and will always hold a special place in our hearts,” said Glenn Del Vecchio, Grand Rapids Ballet executive director. “We are honored to receive such a monumental contribution from Mr. Wege. His generous donation will contribute to Grand Rapids Ballet’s continued growth and further our mission of lifting the human spirit through the art of dance for years to come.”
Peter M. Wege was one of GRB’s most passionate and committed advocates. The significant financial support provided by Peter M. Wege and the Wege Foundation throughout the years has contributed to the success of GRB today. Several key milestones were made possible through the support of Mr. Wege, including the creation of GRB’s current venue the LEED certified, Meijer-Royce Center for Dance and the Peter M. Wege Theatre that opened in 2007. The 300-seat Peter Martin Wege Theatre was named for Peter M. Wege’s father who was the founder of Steelcase.
Mr. Wege’s contributions allowed for the creation of countless educational opportunities for Grand Rapids students to experience the arts. Wege supported the production of The Nutcracker along with performances of The Nutcracker for Grand Rapids Public Schools free of charge. Mr. Wege was a visionary in the community and has helped Grand Rapids Ballet “do all the good they can, for as many people as they can” and because of his gift “for as long as we can”.
GRB will celebrate the life and support of Peter M. Wege at their Season Kickoff Party on September 13, 2014. Call the Box Office at 616-454-4771 for Tickets and Information.
Grand Rapids Ballet Celebrating its 42nd anniversary this season, the Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB) remains committed to lifting the human spirit through the art of dance. A proud recipient of the ArtServe Michigan Governor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Cultural Organization, Michigan’s only professional ballet company has a rich history marked by steady growth, a commitment to excellence, and strong community support.
