Mission

The mission of the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts is to encourage cultural and intellectual activities for the benefit and enjoyment of all Idaho citizens, by:

◊ attracting national and international artists in the performing arts;

◊ fostering the growth of community arts groups;

◊ developing and promoting excellence in the performing arts at Boise State University;

◊ promoting the usage of the Morrison Center for a variety of performing and fine arts activities;

◊ providing art related education and programming opportunities through collaborative efforts;

◊ providing a setting for programs that enhance the cultural and intellectual growth of the community

CORE VALUES OF THE MORRISON CENTER

The Morrison Center is the premier performance venue in the State of Idaho and holds a position of national rank with performance halls throughout the country. Hence, the Morrison Center looks first to the national and international performance community as the primary users of the facility. In its design and management, the Center has defined its primary role as a commercial rental theater. The Morrison Center can accommodate most of the largest Broadway touring productions and the most finely tuned instrumentation on the international concert circuit. A theater of this caliber is best used by those whose skills, experience and artistry can match, even transcend, the demands of the space.

Another focus of the Morrison Center is to provide premier performance space for local artists and institutions which have developed their work specifically for this region and community. Local companies are part of the cultural and economic fabric of this region and, therefore, must be given opportunities to produce their work in the Morrison Center. In this context, the Center is a place where artistic growth is nurtured and experimentation is valued.

As an educational facility as well, the Morrison Center plays a central role in Boise State University's mission to provide an arts education and to enhance the cultural opportunities in the region. Any Boise State University student of the performing arts who aspires to become a professional artist, technician or manager, has the opportunity to study in the Morrison Center, one of the finest "research laboratories" available.

FUNDING OF THE MORRISON CENTER

Idaho State Board of Education resolutions of August 12, 1982 and September 19, 1985 state: "Recognizing that the Morrison Center must be operated as a self supporting entity, fees for its use will be no less than cost, as determined through generally accepted accounting principles and will reflect the use of personnel,
equipment, or facilities supported exclusively by Boise State University."

As an auxiliary enterprise, located on the Boise State University campus, the Morrison Center has to pay all of its own bills. The auxiliary portion of the complex, which consists of the main hall and support areas, constitutes 55% of the total square footage. Bills for utilities and shared expenses are prorated on that basis. The University functions on a cash flow structure, which requires that items are paid in full in the year in which they are purchased.

To assist in the overall funding of the operation of the Morrison Center, Velma V. Morrison, during the April 7, 1984 opening ceremonies, announced that the Harry W. Morrison Family Foundation would match, dollar for dollar, donations to the Morrison Center Endowment Foundation, Inc., up to $2.5 million. The original goal of $5 million was reached in 1989 when the Endowment took over the responsibility of underwriting any losses for the Center which were previously covered by the Harry W. Morrison Family Foundation. Through accrued interest and careful management, the total funds and interest of the Morrison Center Endowment Foundation, Inc. now total greater than $12 million.

The primary source of revenue to cover operating expenses for the Morrison Center are the fees associated with the rental of the facility, supplemented by interest income from the Endowment. The Center receives no funding from the State of Idaho or Boise State University for its operations.