2015 ANNUAL REPORT

Cover Photo: Photography by Roberta Looking back … Looking forward … The Cultural Trust was first organizations in 2015; 85,000 K-12 The Quad Cities Cultural Trust is Arts and culture build a vibrant endowed in 2007; in 2015 the value students had educational looking forward to 2016 and beyond. infrastructure that gives an area the reached $20,000,000 thanks to the early experiences; and 70,678 people attractive glow of cool so important fulfillment of a $5MM commitment participated in out-reach programs. Through ongoing strategic planning, to drawing in and retaining engaged from the Foster Family. This act of Sharing these experiences bring all of we are positioning the Figge, Putnam, citizens. How your gift makes generosity helped enable the trust to us together, and visitors are drawn here Botanical Center, Symphony, RME and award $901,400 to the five core cultural … and will be, thanks to the structure of QCCT to be a crucial part of the In 2016 we will work to continue to organizations QCCT supports. the QCCT endowment, in perpetuity. Chamber of Commerce Q2030 Regional empower the core five to thrive, a lasting difference Action Plan to make the Quad Cities innovate and build that vibrant For eight years, QCCT support has kept We are proud of the accomplishments cool, creative, connected and infrastructure. these organizations operating and of QCCT and its supported prosperous. ready to thrive not only with cash organizations, and we look forward Michael Duffy, “The QCCT allows us to support the region’s arts and culture in a infusions, but through increased to a productive 2016. Certainly the five organizations are 2016 Chairman of the Board significant and lasting way. Our great-great-great grandchildren accountability. In 2015 the trust also cool and creative. Thanks to robust - and the entire community - will benefit.” brought the organizations’ leaders Frank Klipsch, QCCT funding, they enhance the together regularly to brainstorm 2015 Chairman of the Board prosperity of the region. The Foster Family collaborations and to build collegiality and creative energy. In 2016, QCCT will continue to be a critical funder, while looking outward The Quad Cities are stronger as a result to the greater arts and culture scene in of these efforts. Over 266,000 Quad the community. Citians and tourists visited the five The RME … saves lives. Take the The Figge ... welcomed 22,522 For children and adults, the Putnam The Symphony … engages young at-risk teen who found the guidance and visitors – an increase of nearly 9,500 – means exploration and discovery. For musicians in a new way, through private purpose she needed at the RME camp during its 10th anniversary celebration kids like Adam, it’s pure joy. lessons taught by QCSO professionals program. She became a member of a last fall. Funding from QCCT and other at participating area schools. Each QCCT means a thriving band and helped represent the State of funders allowed for the community-wide The Botanical Center ... blooms student receives 15 lessons throughout at the Youth Showcase of the 2016 celebration that included many special in classrooms across the QC region, the school year, along with International Blues Challenge. “Music events and a return appearance from thanks to funding from QCCT that complimentary tickets to all QCSO regional arts and helped heal my daughter’s soul,” her the Figge’s world-renowned architect, allowed area students to experience the performances. mom said. “It gave her hope again.” . wonders of nature without leaving their classroom! The upshot: the Botanical The program has been a great success. culture scene Center nearly doubled the students it It’s a story that happens every day at For working artists, the Figge is an Originally designed to serve 50 students, the RME. Thanks to QCCT, RME is able extraordinary resource and partner. served. high demand pushed that number to 85! to welcome and mentor musicians of all For art lovers, it’s where art lives. Your contribution helped fund critical operating expenses for the region’s five ages. Students learn how to write songs, When families visit the center, fun and For both young and seasoned musicians, core arts and cultural organizations. You helped free these organizations to record, perform and distribute their The Putnam … welcomes children learning combine as they explore QCSO helps them hone their craft. For create new, exciting, inspirational and meaningful programs in 2015 and beyond. music. Professionals – and their of all ages and abilities, like Adam. horticultural exhibits, dig in a sand pile, music lovers across the region, it audiences – enjoy a premier venue. Adam’s autism sometimes keeps him rove along the mini- and produces big-city concerts right here Here are just a few examples of the impact of your generosity in 2015 alone: For musicians, RME is home. For music from feeling like he fits in. But when play in the splash garden. at home. lovers, it’s the place to be. Adam attended an interactive science class, he excelled. For the first time, his For students in our schools, QCBC makes younger brother saw Adam as smart the natural world bloom. For families and capable, and Adam saw himself as who visit, QCBC is a bouquet of wonders. succeeding. QCCT inspires and educates the region QCCT provides robust operations support QCCT energizes to the core Quad-Cities arts and culture organizations in perpetuity, so they can and grows the continue to educate, inspire, nourish and sustain our creative and prosperous region community. QCCT funding helps sustain $71.34 million industry QCCT-supported organizations provide Since its creation in 2007 by the Bechtel Trusts, the valuable arts and cultural experiences Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, and the John Deere to 350,000 people every year, driving our Foundation, QCCT has grown considerably. In 2015, it was local economy in many ways, through both valued at $20 million, and had distributed grants of $6 million direct spending and event-related spend- to , & Science Center, ing. In fact, nonprofit arts and culture Quad City Botanical Center, Quad City Symphony Orchestra, are a $71.34 million industry in the Quad and over the course of eight years. Cities region - one that supports 1,906 full Those same organizations received $901,400 from the QCCT time equivalent jobs and generates $7.79 in 2015. million in local and state government revenue. (QC Chamber of Commerce) QCCT 2015 Board Members

Trustees

Steven C. Bahls : President, Augustana College Representing the Putnam Museum & Science Center

Mark Bawden Independent Representative

Michael Duffy : President & CEO, Per Mar Security Services Independent Representative

David Freund : Director International Tax, Deere & Company Representing Quad City Botanical Center

Frank Klipsch, Chairman Representing River Music Experience

Ken Koupal : Regional President, U.S. Bank Representing the Figge Art Museum

Tom Spitzfaden : Vice President, Treasurer Deere & Company Representing Quad City Symphony Orchestra

Trustors

R. Richard Bittner Trustee, The Bechtel Trusts

C. Dana Waterman III : Partner, Lane & Waterman LLP Hubbell-Waterman Foundation

John Deere Foundation

Advancing a vibrant community.

Quad Cities Cultural Trust 201 W Second St. Suite 1000, Davenport, IA 52801 [email protected] | 563-340-7290 | qcct.org