Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-6280
kran-tix@uiuc.edu
www.krannertcenter.com
Organizational Statement
As one of America's leading university-based performing arts centers, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts provides an environment for high-impact encounters between art, ideas, and society. True to its stated mission of arts engagement through education, presentation, research, and community service, Krannert Center invites outstanding professional artists to perform, teach, and enter the fabric of University and community life; engages in research through the creation of new work; and provides an educational and performance home to the University of Illinois Department of Dance, Department of Theatre, School of Music (opera, choral, and instrumental programs and faculty recitals), as well as the community-based ensembles Sinfonia da Camera and Champaign-Urbana Symphony.
An enabling gift of over $20 million from the late industrialist and U of I alumnus Herman Krannert and his wife, Ellnora, yielded a multidimensional facility designed by architect Max Abramovitz now conservatively valued at $150 million. With its four indoor theatres joined by a common lobby; outdoor amphitheatre; Intermezzo Cafe and The Promenade gift shop; rehearsal rooms for opera, choral music, orchestra, dance, and theatre; scenery, costume, audio, prop, and lighting shops; design studios; offices for a highly motivated and dedicated staff of 85 full-status employees as well as faculty; and classrooms, Krannert Center has become the standard by which other performance facilities measure their capabilities. Krannert Center's model status extends to accessibility for patrons with special needs. Each theatre is equipped with infrared hearing amplification systems, large print programs are available for most events, sign language interpreters and Braille programs are provided upon request, and TTY communication is available. Some 350,000 people visit Krannert Center each year for over 300 events, including performances, tours, classes, research activities, costume and prop rental services, and special events such as job fairs, weddings, receptions, and conferences.