PORT ANGELES — Performing artists one day will have a new venue to showcase their talents thanks to a $9 million gift from a late Port Angeles resident.
Donna M. Morris, who died in 2014 at the age of 67, gave the money to the Peninsula College Foundation, which is serving as a conduit for the funds, officials announced Friday.
The money is to be used “specifically for the design, construction and maintenance” of a performing arts center in Port Angeles.
The gift is likely to be the largest seen in Clallam County. The Albert Haller Foundation began with a gift of some $8.5 million, according to Alan Millet, attorney for the foundation board.
Morris directed that her executor appoint a committee of local citizens to ensure that the facility meets the needs of the performing and fine arts community.
A seven-member Performing Arts Center Committee was formed with representatives from various arts groups, Peninsula College and the city.
‘Generous gift’
“This is an incredibly generous gift to the citizens of our community,” said committee Chairman S. Brooke Taylor, a retired Clallam County Superior Court judge.
“It demonstrates Donna M. Morris’ love of Port Angeles and her commitment to promoting the arts in our community. I am excited to be able to play a part in this project.”
The new committee will select a location and design for the performing arts center. The ad hoc committee to the nonprofit Peninsula College Foundation was formed five months ago.
“Our board is honored that Peninsula College Foundation has been chosen as the recipient of a gift of this magnitude,” said foundation President Joe Floyd.
“We determined, as did the college leadership team, that the purpose of this gift is well within the mission of the foundation and also the college’s mission of serving the greater community through cultural enrichment and economic development.”
Committee members have been working behind the scenes to organize the project before Friday’s announcement.
“We are soliciting professional consulting services via a request for proposals [RFP], and we can now devote full attention to gathering and digesting input from the community as we move forward, and to engaging as many community partners as possible to maximize the potential of this gift,” Taylor said in a news release.
“It is the goal of the committee to honor the generosity of Donna M. Morris by creating something special for our community. We see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
In a Friday interview, Taylor said the consulting firm will conduct a needs assessment and gather feedback from the public.
Request for proposals
A request for proposals from consultants was issued Friday. Responses are due Aug. 12.
“We’re hopeful that several will be interested in this work and want to be involved,” said Taylor, who also serves on the Peninsula College Foundation board.
The new performing arts center will not be on the Peninsula College campus because of space and visibility issues, and the fact that the college already has performing arts halls, Taylor said.
Port Angeles High School has a performing arts venue that seats more than 1,000.
“What we’re really looking for is a niche that isn’t being filled in the community,” Taylor said in a telephone interview.
The Performing Arts Center Committee is represented by the city of Port Angeles, Peninsula College, Peninsula College Foundation, Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts and Port Angeles Community Players.
Following the directives of the will, Morris’ will executor has appointed to the committee Taylor, Karen McCormick, Dan Wilder Sr., Nathan West, Dorothy Field, Bill Kindler and Judith Morris, who is not related to Donna Morris.
Wilder, of Port Angeles-based Wilder Auto, said the new venue will draw people to the city and could even help the economy.
“What an incredible gift that someone would leave for our community,” Wilder said.
Once the facility is built, Peninsula College, the Peninsula College Foundation and the city of Port Angeles — or a separate nonprofit established by the three — will oversee its administration.
“There is a lot left to do,” Taylor said.
“We’re just getting started.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
