“Today we are at Act One, Scene One. Are you all ready? Curtain up; let the show begin.'' -Adrienne Arsht

MIAMI’S PERFORMING ARTS CENTER RECEIVES $30 MILLION GIFT AND IS RENAMED ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Arsht Donation Dramatically Bolters Center’s Financial Position

National business leader and philanthropist, Adrienne Arsht, made a historic $30 million donation to Downtown Miami’s performing arts center yesterday, bolstering the center’s financial position and long-term viability. In recognition of the gift, the former Carnival Center for the Performing Arts was renamed the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. Carnival Corporation graciously agreed to relinquish the naming rights in favor of this new major donation. Arsht and Foundation Chairman Emeritus, Sherwood (Woody) Weiser, announced the gift at a press conference in the Green Room of the center’s Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House.

“Now we have to say that the past is prologue,” Arsht said. “Today we are at Act One, Scene One. Are you all ready? Curtain up; let the show begin.''

Arsht, who was recently named Chairman Emerita of TotalBank, served as TotalBank’s Chairman of the Board for over 10 years. In November 2007, she sold the bank to Banco Popular Español, the third largest banking group in Spain. Under her leadership, the Miami-based TotalBank grew to over 14 locations with over $1.4 billion in assets. A community-minded power broker, Arsht has taken a leading role in cultural, business and civic efforts, promoting the growth and development of the arts and commerce in her adopted hometown of Miami and nationally.