(For Immediate Release—August 21, 2024) Celebrity Series of Boston, one of the nation's leading arts presenters, has announced the launch of a modernization process for its marketing identity and the selection of the creative agency Colossus Creative as its partner for this historic project.
Founded in 1938 by pianist and impresario Aaron Richmond, the Celebrity Series of Boston is one of the nation’s largest and longest running independent performing arts presenting organizations. Celebrity Series will seek to refresh its brand assets, including its name, while staying true to its long history rooted in artistic excellence.
While the organization’s name has changed a few times over the years, the mission has always remained focused on bringing artists and audiences together. Celebrity Series is committed to presenting and introducing an incredibly wide range of artists to Greater Boston audiences, from debut artists to longtime favorites, across a diverse array of genres including classical, jazz, new, and folk music, spoken word, modern dance, and more.
As part of the most recent strategic planning process, Celebrity Series determined that revisiting the visual identity and name will serve a variety of future goals related to being a welcoming, inclusive, community centric, and accessible organization. As a multi-disciplinary, non-profit, performing arts presenter, the mission of the Celebrity Series is to enrich and inspire the community through exceptional live performances, making the performing arts a valued, life-long, shared experience for everyone.
To this end, the Celebrity Series has selected Colossus Creative, the 2024 AdAge Small Agency of the Year, to lead the complete rebranding process. As part of their work, they will engage with current and new stakeholders and audience members to determine a refreshed brand identity in spring 2025 that solidifies and represents the current mission and existing brand positioning.
Celebrity Series President and CEO Gary Dunning says, “We are excited to start this work with Colossus Creative, who impressed us with their experience, skills, and willingness to listen. This effort comes out of our ongoing commitment to advancing our mission and achieving our strategic goal of reaching more people, deepening our engagement with the public, and diversifying our audience. We do not take this endeavor lightly, given the rich history of our organization. Rather, we approach this rebranding process with a steadfast belief that we can build on our legacy of presenting inspiring artists and delivering enriching performances to a broader audience across Greater Boston.”
Allison Doherty, GM of Colossus Design, adds, “We are honored to be working with Celebrity Series of Boston on their rebrand. As one of the most respected and storied performing arts organizations in the country, their unwavering commitment to inspiring and enriching the lives of those within the community through the power of live performance is incredibly exciting to us. We are very much looking forward to this partnership!”
Andrea Hoff, leader of the Board Working Group tasked with stewarding the organization through this process says, “We are thrilled to partner with Colossus Creative for this rebranding project, and the Board is enthusiastically supportive of their innovative approach and deep understanding of our mission and vision. We are confident that this collaboration will enhance our ability to connect with a broader audience and reflect the vibrant future we envision for the Celebrity Series of Boston.”
ABOUT CELEBRITY SERIES OF BOSTON
Celebrity Series of Boston was founded in 1938 by pianist and impresario Aaron Richmond. Celebrity Series has been bringing the very best performers—from orchestras and chamber ensembles, vocal and piano music, to dance companies, jazz, and more—to Boston’s major concert halls for 86 years. The Celebrity Series of Boston believes in the power of excellence and innovation in the performing arts to enrich life experiences, transform lives, and build better communities. Through its education initiatives, the Celebrity Series seeks to build a community of Greater Boston where the performing arts are a valued, lifelong, shared experience—on stages, on streets, in neighborhoods—everywhere.
Celebrity Series of Boston is grateful to our 2024/25 Season Sponsors Crescendo Donor Advised Fund and Susan & Michael Thonis, and to the many individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies whose support helps fulfill our mission to present performing artists who inspire and enrich our community. Individual and institutional supporters include Jill & David Altshuler, Leslie & Howard Appleby, the Barr Foundation through its ArtsAmplified initiative, Amy & Joshua Boger, Stephanie L. Brown Foundation, Julia Byers & Steven Holtzman, Michael & Adrianne Canning, Deloitte, Yvette & Lawrence Hochberg, Klarman Family Foundation, George & Lizbeth Krupp, Liberty Mutual Foundation, Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation, Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation, Mass Cultural Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Eleanor & Frank Pao, Stephen C. Perry & Oliver Radford, The Rabb Family Foundations, Reuben Reynolds, Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, Royal Little Family Foundation, Sally S. Seaver, PhD, Schrafft Charitable Trust, Jeremy Silverman & Mary Sutherland, Stifler Family Foundation, Belinda Termeer, Susan & Michael Thonis, Dorothy Altman Weber, in memory of Stephen Weber, Yawkey Foundation, Anonymous (4), and many others.
celebrityseries.org
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