Innovation Fund

The Savannah Philharmonic is a community focused arts organization and cultural leader, growing with increased artistic vibrancy and financial good health thanks to ongoing partnership with its dedicated audiences, a generous community, and respected musicians.

This momentum has resulted in consistently sold-out concerts, increased enrollment in music education programs, and performances by world-class guest artists. We have the opportunity to bring more of this to our growing community with your help: The Savannah Philharmonic is launching a major gift campaign with the goal of raising $2 million dollars by 2027 (3 years). 

This special and strategic fundraising initiative focuses on the 3 pillars below and with each working in tandem with one another to expand the cultural ecosystem of the entire community.

This campaign sets the stage for the Savannah Philharmonic to move into the Civic Center Theater when it is restored in approximately 5 years.

Music Where You Are

Our community is emerging as a thriving center for opportunity, business, innovation and growth. By pioneering programs and services to engage audiences more broadly and deeply, the Philharmonic the initiatives below set the organization up for both community and financial success.

SavPhil builds both earned and contributed revenue streams through strategic partnerships and performances by: 

  • Expanding our popular and vibrant programming beyond the concert stage to neighborhoods that span Cuyler-Brownsville, Richmond Hill, Palmetto Bluff, Tybee, Midtown Savannah and more.
  • Broadening partnerships with organizations such as the Learning Center and Institute of Story of Hospice Savannah. Programs with these organizations provide the SavPhil the opportunity to provide in depth presentations about the music and to tell the stories of Savannah through music.
  • Present repeat performances – three Sunday matinees – of most popular Lucas Theater concerts; a “relief valve” to absorb overflow demand for Saturday performances (all are sold out). Additionally, investigate alternate venues to attract new audiences, such as the Performing Arts space coming on line at Richmond Hill High School in rapidly growing Bryan County.

Center of Education and Outreach

The Philharmonic is committed to not just having a seat at the table for community wide initiatives, but to taking a leadership role in the development of music education. We aspire to reach every child in our community and seek to be a partner to our schools, educators, and students. 

Working alongside our school district, we will serve more students across our community by:

  • Growing energized and strategic partnerships with the Savannah-Chatham County School District and Savannah’s private and parochial schools. 
  • Developing in-school programs that align with K-12 curriculum in Savannah Chatham County School District, bringing music to the classroom through violin instruction and small group instruction. 
  • Provide professional development opportunities to SavPhil musicians and teaching artists that are in the classroom. These part time employees will develop skills which help teach students of diverse abilities and learning needs.

A Cultural Jewel for Savannah

The Philharmonic delivers orchestral performances unlike any other throughout the community, which inspire, engage and entertain audiences of all ages. SavPhil presents diverse and compelling music for the entire community.

The Orchestra will invest in its expanded and nationally recruited musicians by:

  • Creating an Artistry Fund to attract and retain the best musicians possible to Savannah through enhanced compensation for our musicians and now executing a competitive national audition process which is on par with other professional orchestras.
  • Enhancing our concert programming with a Guest Artist initiative, bringing world renowned musicians to play with our orchestra, connect with our community and inspire our nationally ranked musicians.
  • Programming and commissioning works which feature the southern region through either composers or guest artists. These works will assist in developing the art form not only for Savannah but also the musical canon. In addition these works will challenge the core musicians of the organization and are a valuable tool in honing the level of artistry.
Innovation Fund PDF