Alliance for the Arts gets $4.25 million donation

By Lori Porter

Acorn Staff Writer

Countrywide Financial Corporation is following traditional Hallmark guidelines in giving the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza aluminum on the occasion of the Civic Arts Plaza’s 10th, or "aluminum" anniversary. The Calabasas-based financial giant took advantage of a naming opportunity offered by the Alliance for the Arts, the official, nonprofit fundraising arm of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, and in return for the corporation’s generous $4.25 million donation, the huge edifice that houses the 400-seat Janet and Ray Scherr Forum Theatre and the 1,800-seat Fred Kavli Theatre will now be known as the Countrywide Performing Arts Center. In about six weeks, an Alliance spokesperson said, the name will go up on the freeway side of the building in gleaming aluminum.

Countrywide pledged the gift over five years. Although the portion of the building that houses the two theatres will be the Countrywide center, the complete complex, which also houses City Hall, will continue to be known as the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Back when the Civic Arts Plaza was first envisioned, the Alliance was created with the goal of raising $15 million. That target was long ago hit, and to celebrate its success, Alliance members challenged themselves to raise a second $15 million. The red in the thermometer is now up to $22 million, and the group hopes to fulfill its challenge by year 2005.

Money raised will fund artist grants, capital improvements, scholarships, outreach programs and artistic productions.

"Countrywide’s gift allows us to keep the vision vibrant as we become the premier family entertainment center here in our community," said Dr. Russ Spoto, Alliance board chairman.

"It’s our privilege to be associated with the work of the Alliance for the Arts," said Angelo Mozilo, Countrywide president and C.E.O., "and to give back to our home communities in a way that will afford great enjoyment and quality of life to area residents for years to come."

Mozilo founded the corporation in 1969, and last year Countrywide purchased a 157,000-square-foot office building in the Thousand Oaks Corporate Center. This building will house the administrative offices of Countrywide Bank, a division of Treasury Bank.

"Countrywide is definitely showing its corporate citizenship and its pride in our community through this generous gift to the Alliance for the Arts," said Thousand Oaks Mayor Andy Fox.