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Show i Wesley P. Larsen USF development director appointed CEDAR CITY Dr. Wesley P. Larsen,, professor of Biology at Southern Utah State College, has been appointed director of development for the Utah Shakespearean Festival. According to Fred C. Adams, producing director, Larsen brings Larsen continued. "Their business is to create authentic productions. The administrative and development areas of the Festival should obtain revenues needed for continued artistic excellence." Larsen anticipates approaching sources for funding which are new to the Festival. He plans to initiate a Quarter Century Fund and a Half Century Fund, wherein the donor may give now, let the monies grow, and meanwhile specify the area of use for the contribution. It is his opinion that people like to know exactly what donated money is going to do, and he will offer an accounting for all proffered contributions. Anyone (individual, corporation or agency) wishing to discuss Festival funding with Larsen is invited to do so by telephoning (801) 586-7298 586-7298 or 586-7880. "Since we are entering an era where federal support of the arts is diminishing," he stated, "the federal monies must be replaced by volunteerism. Individuals and corporations must take a larger responsibility for funding the arts, and together we can make it work. Larsen is retiring this spring from the SUSC faculty, where he has served as dean of the School of Science. He holds a Ph.D. degree from the University of Utah, and is a member of several professional and honorary organizations. He received the SUSC "Teacher of the Year" award in 1966. an extensive background of professional and financial expertise to the newly created position, and the Festival is fortunate to procure his services. In accepting the position Larsen stated that he is interested in promotingartistic excellence in the Festival, and in making high-quality theatre available to the people of our area at a moderate ticket price. "Advanced ticket prices become in themselves a revenue source," Larsen stated, "and when commitment exists, as it does with the Festival, to keep ticket prices moderate, there must necessarily be other sources of revenue. "Artists should not have to be concerned with financial matters," Wesley P. Larsen |