KU unveils plans for Lied Center expansion

The University plans to pursue a major expansion of the Lied Center, thanks to a $7.5 million challenge grant from the Lied Foundation Trust and a $1 million commitment from a Lawrence couple.

The Las Vegas-based Lied Foundation, which in 1988 spearheaded development of the performing arts and education facility, issued the challenge to the Kansas University Endowment Association. To receive the grant, KU and KU Endowment officials must raise an additional $7.5 million by June 30, 2005. The foundation committed $5 million for the University regardless of whether the challenge is met. The grant brings the total committed for KU by the Lied Foundation to $22.1 million since its first grant for the Lied Center, which was completed in 1993.

To help meet the challenge, Ross and Marianna Kistler Beach of Lawrence, together with Douglas County Bank, have pledged
$1 million toward the project. Ross Beach
is chairman of the board of Douglas County Bank.

“The Lied Foundation Trust and its trustee, Christina Hixson, are dedicated to bringing the experiences of live performance to as many people as possible, as evidenced by their previous investments in the Lied Center, its programs and outreach activities,” Chancellor Robert Hemenway said. “It is our hope to expand that reach by creating a multifaceted arts and education facility. With the enthusiasm for the project shown by donors such as Ross and Marianna Beach, we are confident we will meet the challenge raised by the Lied Foundation.”

Hixson said she hoped the challenge grant would expose more people to the performing arts.

“I have been pleased to see the Lied Center touch many people from all walks of life,” she said. “The new performance space is an opportunity to build upon this record by bringing more people than ever before to the Lied Center.”