Solvang Theaterfest receives $50,000 grant from Montecito Bank and Trust

Solvang Theaterfest received a gift of $50,000 from Montecito Bank & Trust, designated for IMAGINE! Building the Future – The $4.7 Million Capital Campaign for Solvang Festival Theater. In recognition of this generous gift, Theaterfest will rename its Patron Garden Stage to include the bank’s name.

“We are honored by the generosity of Montecito Bank & Trust,” says Chris Nielsen, Solvang Theaterfest Board Chair. “They have been tremendous partners on this project and have supported so many other businesses and causes here in the Valley.”

This gift is another example of MB&T’s history of corporate philanthropy in the local communities it serves. They annually donate 1.5 million dollars and volunteer more than 7,500 hours to nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

“Solvang Theaterfest is a beloved landmark in the Valley, providing unique cultural enrichment for all North County residents,” says Janet Garufis, Chairman and CEO. “It is truly a one-of-a- kind outdoor venue under the stars, and we are incredibly fortunate to have this stage that not only showcases nationally recognized artists, but also supports critical fundraising and educational efforts for several other local nonprofits.”

After decades of enjoyment, Solvang Festival Theater now requires a renewed investment from the community to sustain its vibrant legacy as a cultural and community anchor for decades to come. Thanks to generous actions such as these from MB&T, to date the capital campaign has reached 59 percent of its $4.7 million goal. The project will strengthen and modernize the Theater, address aging infrastructure, and improve accessibility, technical capability and audience amenities.

The construction project is slated to start in the Fall of 2021.

Solvang Theaterfest looks forward to bringing the magic of live performance in the Theater to the Solvang community and its visitors as soon as possible.