$30 million donation gives Miami performing arts center a new name

Miami’s sparkling new performing arts center, which had been known as the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, has received a $30 million donation and a new name, according to an announcement from the center’s leadership.

In exchange for renouncing its naming rights, Carnival Cruise Lines halved its original donation of $20 million. The new name of the center will be the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, “in honor of the banker and philanthropist who pledged the massive donation,” according to The Miami Herald.

The donation includes $13 million that was wired on Thursday, $7 million in 2009, and $10 million in 2010. As a result of the donation, the center will be able to repay a $14 million loan, as well as continue its fundraising goal of $48 million.

The resulting momentum is in stark contrast to the center’s reputation as an example of inefficient spending and poor planning, which have continued to plague the center with a negative image.

Still, though, the whole thing leaves the Haute Blog wondering: How big a donation would it take to trump Arsht’s contribution and rename the facility again?

Via The Miami Herald