Since 1956, Tyler Junior College’s Wise Auditorium has been a landmark for performing arts in East Texas.
Generations of East Texans have experienced the thrill of watching live music, theater and dance while others have discovered their love of performance including successful and talented TJC alumni stage and screen actress and singer Donna Bullock and movie and tv actor Shea Whigham, as well as Grammy-winning Christian singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin and Oscar and Grammy-winning songwriter Will Jennings.
It’s almost time, to Raise the Curtain on the next era of the arts in Tyler. The new heart of the TJC Cultural Arts District transforms the auditorium and surrounding space into the exquisite Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center.
Be a part of Raise the Curtain and ensure that the Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center continues to serve as a training ground for our stars of the future and as a vital resource for the arts at TJC and throughout the East Texas region for generations to come.
| Name | Details | Results |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 Naming Race Challenge | Thanks to a generous gift from TJC friend, Joyce Buford, the iconic leader of the arts with the most supporters giving $25 or more during a 25-hour challenge, wins $25,000 toward its naming. | Dr. David “Doc” Crawford |
| $1,000+ Match Challenge | Thanks to an anonymous donor, the first 25 supporters of a gift of $1,000 or more will be matched up to $25,000! | $25,000 matched as of Nov. 13 |
| Holbrook-Armstrong $50,000 Challenge | Every TJC alum of the arts that makes a gift – regardless of size – to the new Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center, before midnight on February 26, will unlock $1,000 (up to $50,000 total) in support of this new state-of-the-art facility for future generations. | 100% unlocked! |
Help us raise the curtain and name a rehearsal studio in honor of our teacher, mentor and friend Dr. David “Doc” Crawford.
Help us raise the curtain and name a rehearsal studio in honor of Thereza Bryce-Cotes.
Help us raise the curtain and name the Orchestra Pit in honor of J.W. and Varina Johnson.
