Western Illinois University Performing Arts Society

06/11/2026

An exciting sponsorship for the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts!!! A huge THANK YOU to our friends at Macomb Audiology & Hearing Aid Center, as they will be recognized as the Assistive Listening Sponsor for the Inaugural Season!

The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts will be equipped with Auracast™ Bluetooth Technology, allowing a single audio source to broadcast sound to an unlimited number of nearby compatible devices. Functioning much like a public Wi-Fi network, it enables users to seamlessly tune into live public audio streams using their own headphones, earbuds, or hearing aids.

Thank you so much, Macomb Audiology & Hearing Aid Center!!!

Pictured from left to right:
Patrick Downing (WIU Director of Development - College of Fine Arts and Communication, and PAS Executive Director), Dr. Christine Standard (Audiologist and Founder of Macomb Audiology & Hearing Aid Center), Mitch Standard, Dr. Anne Lefter (Director - Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts).

06/03/2026

Welcome back, Mick!!!

Former COFAC Director of Development and PAS Executive Director, Mick Cumbie, has been named Interim Director of the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts! Please join us in congratulating Mick and welcoming him back to Western Illinois University!

Western Illinois University is pleased to announce Michael "Mick" Cumbie as Interim Director of the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts, effective June 1.

A longtime WIU leader, veteran, and advancement professional, Cumbie will help guide the center as it prepares to launch its inaugural season, "A Season of Joy," this fall.

➡️ Read More: https://go.wiu.edu/4ehSH2U

05/29/2026

A big announcement for PAS in 2027... ;) Mark your calendars!

05/28/2026

Nearly $25,000 raised, and over $14,000 of Season Subscriptions sold for the Inaugural Season of the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts!

CONGRATULATIONS, and THANK YOU to all who attended, donated, and sponsored this year's PAS Gala! We are beyond grateful!

Nearly $25,000 raised for the arts! Western Illinois University Performing Arts Society’s 2026 gala, “Prohibition Party: Shhh…Tell ’em Billy Sent Ya!” brought the community together to celebrate and support the visual and performing arts while honoring the legacy of former COFAC Dean William T. “Billy” Clow.

The evening also unveiled the inaugural season of the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts, generating more than $14,000 in opening-night season ticket sales.

Read more: go.wiu.edu/3S6tO1x

05/28/2026

Another big THANK YOU to one of our donors for the 2026 Prohibition Party Gala!

Today, we're thrilled to recognize Mick and Jamie Cumbie for their donation of a Friends Comedy Night Out - including 6 tickets to see comedian Nikki Glaser in Peoria in November, along with a limo ride, snacks, and drinks! We're excited to say that this hilarious gift package will be enjoyed by six lucky folks later this fall!

Through Mick and Jamie's generosity, PAS continues its mission of connecting people with the arts! Our arts grants recipients, students attending YPAS performances, and many more arts programs and initiatives will benefit through donor support. Thank you so much!

05/26/2026

SAVE THE DATE! Announcing the withonevoice Summer 2026 concerts for their program, "Hold Fast."

Led by WIU Director of Choral Studies and Past PAS President, Brian J. Winnie, this outstanding professional vocal ensemble will hold concerts on the WIU campus in Macomb, as well as in the Chicago area (St. Charles, IL). Featuring world premieres by MaryAnne Muglia, Alex Berko, and Ryan Korell, "Hold Fast" is sure to be a heartfelt and uplifting program for all attendees!

For more information, please visit wovoice.org

05/20/2026

Another big THANK YOU to one of our donors and sponsors of the 2026 Prohibition Party Gala! Today, we're thrilled to recognize Century21 Purdum-Epperson, Inc. for their Corporate Table Sponsorship, as well as to Paul Epperson, Lorraine Epperson's nephew, for handcrafting these beautiful Shaker Bent Nesting Boxes for our fundraiser! Inspired by the woodworking skills of his late uncle, Dr. Ken Epperson, Paul's outstanding work found a new home during our live auction on May 2.

Through their generosity, PAS continues its mission of connecting people with the arts! Our arts grants recipients, students attending YPAS performances, and many more arts programs and initiatives will benefit through donor support. Thank you so much!

05/19/2026

Our heartfelt gratitude to our amazing donors and sponsors of the 2026 Prohibition Party Gala continues as we say a big THANK YOU to our friends at Arnold Brothers Heating and Cooling! Their donation of a Home Comfort Package - including a high-efficiency furnace, duct cleaning, maintenance, and a basket of cozy home items - went to a lucky bidder during our live auction!

Through their generosity, PAS continues its mission of connecting people with the arts! Our arts grants recipients, students attending YPAS performances, and many more arts programs and initiatives will benefit through donor support. Thank you so much!

05/18/2026

We are deeply appreciative to ALL our SPONSORS and DONORS to the Live and Silent Auctions at our recent Prohibition Party Gala! Their heartfelt generosity and enthusiastic support will enable the fine arts programs at WIU and the Macomb community to thrive in the 2026-2027 academic year and beyond! Thank you!

A big THANK YOU to PAS Members, Larry and Julie-Anne Pickett for their incredible donation of a Weekend Getaway Experience in Weston, MO as part of our live auction! The lucky winning bid of this trip went to WIU Alumnus and River City Construction Project Engineer, Brady King! Enjoy!

05/13/2026

Attention! All PAS Arts Grants are due in TEN DAYS!

All applications must be received by 11:59 PM on Friday, May 22, 2026.

THANK YOU to those who have already applied! Should you need more information, please click the links below:
WIU Arts Grants - https://www.wiu.edu/cofac/pas/wiu_artsgrant.php
Community Arts Grants - https://www.wiu.edu/cofac/pas/community_artsgrant.php
K-12 Arts Grants - https://www.wiu.edu/cofac/pas/school_artsgrant.php