Our Case for Support

The Kirby Center is charged with the goal of providing affordable, quality performing arts presentations that educate, enlighten, and expose patrons to unparalleled live theatrical experiences. We do this through a balanced programming mix of cultural offerings that meet the diverse interests of our community and mainstream offerings targeted to our more broad-based patron constituency.

Providing an anchor on Public Square, the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts provides a historic link between the rich cultural history of the area and the current economic resurgence of the downtown. Named in a recent survey as "the best place in the region to enjoy a cultural experience", the Center remains faithful to its mission of fostering an appreciation of the Arts in the community. Recently celebrating its Twentieth Anniversary, the Kirby Center stands committed to sustaining its financial stability and diverse programming to remain a valued community resource for another 20 years and beyond.

Amid a history of great success, The F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts also faces challenges in its continuing goal to serve the region. There is a need to augment the income from programming in order to meet ongoing operational costs since ticket sales alone will never provide sufficient funding to cover the costs of providing our mission based programming. Our Board of Directors has reiterated that we have an important and valuable role to play in ensuring a high quality of life in our community and has developed planning to assure our sustainability for years to come.

More than two million patrons have passed through our doors since our opening night in September 1986. This resounding participation over the past two decades acknowledges both widespread public acceptance of live theatre opportunities at the F.M. Kirby Center and its contributions toward an enhanced quality of life in Northeast Pennsylvania.

We hope you will agree that we have an important part to play in creating a healthy and thriving community and that you will join us in this effort by becoming a member or making a donation to support our programs.