When you give to the arts, you make communities thrive. We’d like to celebrate an inspiring legacy of generosity and philanthropy.
ACT is proud to be a recipient of a generous gift from the Friday Foundation honoring the legacies of Richard E. Lang and Jane Lang Davis. They were longtime investors in ACT, a theatre that embodied their commitment to contemporary art and civic engagement.
ACT was part of the Lang’s extended arts family and we understand Jane encouraged her daughter, Lyn Grinstein, to serve on ACT’s Board of Trustees. As the Friday Foundation notes: Jane Lang Davis and Richard E. Lang had a passionate commitment to the arts community of Seattle. They believed deeply that inclusive and vital cultural activities, nurturing artists and supporting institutions were critical for the long-term civic health and growth of communities and the people who live in them. They believed in the power of art experiences to inspire people of all ages to participate, grow, and connect. Jane Lang Davis and Richard E. Lang‘s support of cultural institutions and arts groups was given both in the present and for the future, wishing to inspire others to give and to ensure a future legacy in the arts, with a focus in Seattle.
The Friday Foundation gift enables ACT to pursue new methods of presenting bold, daring theatre as we transition into a new digital format that amplifies access to all in our community. The gift will also fuel our ambitions for in-person theatre when we’re able to gather in ACT’s theatres again.
The public announcement of the Friday Foundation gifts has sparked many stories about Jane Lang Davis’ commitment to ACT and the arts. We heard from manylongtime ACT donors and subscribers , how Jane was “intrepid in support of her community,” how “she showed-up her whole life,” was a “fierce supporter of the arts” and “courageous.”
“It is an honor to be included in the list of cultural organizations the Friday Foundation selected to invest in their legacy,” said Becky Witmer, ACT’s Managing Director. “The Langs’ confidence in ACT and their commitment to new works are affirming, especially during this time of great need. The unrestricted support will be a critical part of our ability to continue to develop new works during the pandemic.”