Sheridan Opera House: Funds to Replace Roof

29 May Sheridan Opera House: Funds to Replace Roof

Telluride’s Sheridan Arts Foundation seeking $25,000 to replace roof. The nonprofit is asking the community for donations of any size to help raise the needed funds. Donations of any size can be made online at SheridanOperaHouse.com (click the “ Donate” button on the home page below the event slideshow). Mail checks to PO Box 2680 Telluride, CO 81435, or drop them off at the Opera House office on the 3rd floor of the building. 

Sheridan Opera House, 1960s or 1970s.

The Sheridan Arts Foundation is seeking emergency donations to help raise $25,000 needed to replace the roof on the historic Sheridan Opera House.

The Sheridan Arts Foundation, the non-profit organization that owns and operates the Sheridan Opera House, has already secured half of the $50,000 needed for the project through the Telluride Foundation’s Telluride Gives program, private donations, and a grant from the El Pomar Foundation, but needs to raise additional $25,000 by early June of 2017 in order to complete the project.

The Sheridan Opera House has served and entertained the community since 1913. In the early 1990s, the Sheridan Arts Foundation was formed to preserve and restore the historic theater as an arts and cultural resource for the Telluride community.

The Opera House roof has been patched and maintained over the years, but last fall, the SAF learned that the 104-year-old roof has reached the end of its lifespan and needs a full replacement and reinforcement of its underlying trusses.

The Sheridan Arts Foundation is working with a structural engineer and roofing professionals to complete the work prior to Telluride’s summer monsoon season. Work needs to begin by June 10  to assure the protection of the Opera House’s historic interior will be completed in 2017. 

“This is very important so we have decided to reach out to the Telluride community,” said SAF President Steve Palamar. “The Opera House roof restoration project is critically necessary to protect its historic interior and to assure the continued safety of its patrons. Please consider donating to help put a new roof on the Opera House. Everyone’s donation regardless of size is important and will be greatly appreciated.”

Interior, historic Sheridan Opera House

Donations of $1,000 or more will be recognized with a plaque on a seat in the theater; donations of $5,000 or more guarantee the donors a seat and their names on the donor wall in the Sheridan Opera House lobby.

If you’ve ever enjoyed a concert or a quality children’s theater production in the beautiful building, then you know how important it is to continue to maintain the historic Sheridan Opera House.

Founded as a 501(c) 3 non-profit in 1991, the Sheridan Arts Foundation’s mission is to preserve the historic theater to provide quality music and entertainment to the Telluride community and to offer educational programs to regional and national youth.

The SAF has spent more than $2 million to restore the Sheridan Opera House over the last 26 years. Past projects included restoring the theater’s original maple flooring, reconfiguring the emergency exit staircase in the alley, patching the roof, replicating the interior stencils, building a vestibule, and the recently opened SHOW Bar, among other improvements.

The SAF also subsidizes rent to Telluride’s non-profits, making it affordable for the community to host their events in our special space. Last year the SAF subsidized more than $80,000 in rent to local non-profits.

The Sheridan Arts Foundation was founded in 1991 as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization to preserve the historic Sheridan Opera House as an arts and cultural resource for the Telluride community, to bring quality arts and cultural events to Telluride and to provide local and national youth with access and exposure to the arts through education. The Sheridan Arts Foundation is sponsored in part by grants from the Telluride Foundation, CCAASE, El Pomar, Just for Kids.