Acadiana Center for the Arts Executive Director Gerd Wuestemann has announced a major donation to the art center.
Acadiana Center for the Arts Executive Director Gerd Wuestemann has announced a major donation to the art center. Businessman and patron of the arts James Devin Moncus made a gift last week of $1.5 million to the art center, and with it was honored with the naming rights to the new theatre.
The gift will be used to create an endowment. "It is through James Devin Moncus' extraordinary generosity that our organization is able to meet long-range financial goals," says Wuestemann. "We are humbled by Jim's trust in our mission and in how we serve the community. We are honored to place his name on the new Moncus Theater at the AcA."
"It's hard to believe that we are finally realizing the dreams people have had for so many years." says Ed Abell," chairman of the AcA board. James Moncus' gift "lends credibility to what we're doing and leads other people to participate."
Other naming rights patrons include Sharon Moss for the glass-enclosed ArtLoft meeting space; Coca Cola Bottling Co. and Paul Favaron for the Coca Cola studio, a room predominantly serving education; and James S. Mallia for the new Galleria, a casual gallery space. Other naming rights opportunities, including gallery spaces and the new atrium, still remain available, Wuestemann noted.
Read more about the building of the new AcA theatre and a profile of executive director Gerd Wuestemann in today's Independent.
Take a tour of the new theatre in the following video.