To mark the company’s landmark 80th anniversary season, Fort Worth Opera announced the launch of a four-year fundraising campaign intended to raise one million dollars and unlock new possibilities for opera in Fort Worth.
“For eight decades, Fort Worth Opera has been a cornerstone of the arts in North Texas—a creative force uniting generations through music and storytelling,” said Angela Turner Wilson. “This campaign is a call to action—to invest in the company’s next 80 years and ensure opera continues to inspire, educate, and reflect the community it serves.”
September 2025 marks Phase One of this broader, four-year initiative. Titled Match the Momentum, this opening phase of the campaign aims to raise $125,000 in new and increased contributions—doubled to $250,000 through a generous matching challenge from several devoted local patrons of the arts.
Match the Momentum’s first $80,000 gift has already been committed, putting the campaign significantly toward its initial goal.
Wilson emphasizes that Match the Momentum is a chance for the community to rally together and claim ownership of the company’s future: “This isn’t just Fort Worth Opera’s moment—it’s Fort Worth’s. Every dollar given, and every story shared, helps ensure the next generation can fall in love with opera in their own neighborhoods, in their own schools, and on their own terms.”
Match the Momentum isn’t just about numbers; it’s about enriching the cultural lives of Fort Worth residents through the power of opera. Contributions to the campaign directly support:
- Mainstage productions that feature beloved classics and cutting-edge new works, thrilling audiences at Bass Performance Hall and unique venues across Fort Worth.
- New opera commissions and collaborations that amplify voices throughout our community and tell stories rooted in Fort Worth’s rich cultural heritage.
- Showcasing emerging talent from across the U.S. and introducing the next generation of operatic stars to our city.
- Innovative educational initiatives serving K–12 students across Fort Worth ISD and North Texas through curriculum-aligned programming and interactive, immersive performances.
- Community-based programs in unexpected venues that reflect the city’s vibrant spirit and artistic energy—from libraries and museums to cultural centers and civic spaces.
Every gift is matched dollar-for-dollar. A $100 donation becomes $200 in support of music education, access, and artistry. A $1,000 gift becomes $2,000—empowering innovation onstage and strengthening connections within our community offstage.
The campaign embodies the company’s renewed commitment to innovation, civic pride, and the conviction that opera is a living, breathing art form—one that reflects our shared humanity and has the power to unite us all. From classrooms to concert halls, Fort Worth Opera is creating meaningful opportunities for audiences of all ages to experience the transformative joy of classical music.
Throughout its 2025–26 season, Fort Worth Opera will amplify the campaign through digital storytelling, donor spotlights, and collaborative programming. As the city celebrates eight decades as the oldest continuously operating opera company in Texas, Match the Momentum invites residents to join in supporting an art form that reflects their voices and their dreams—along with the stories that unite us all.
“Opera is evolving, just like Fort Worth,” says Polenz. “And that evolution thrives when our community steps forward, when we say yes to creativity, and yes to a future where the arts remain an essential part of who we are.”
To make a gift or learn more about the campaign, visit fwopera.org/match-the-momentum or contact Ryan Lathan, Director of Development, at 817.288.1225 or ryan@fwopera.org.
Source: press release
