News Release

Photo Note: See URL below to download a photo of Bratcher.

Bratcher named development director
for new performing arts focus at Carolina

CHAPEL HILL – Priscilla Bratcher, a veteran fund-raising professional, has returned to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as director of development in the recently established Office of the Executive Director for the Arts.

In this new post, which began Aug. 8, Bratcher is responsible for raising funds for performing arts series, endowments and capital projects. She reports to Emil J. Kang, who was named the university’s first executive director for the arts last fall.

"We are pleased to bring a professional of Priscilla’s caliber back to Carolina to play a key role in the transformation of the performing arts," Kang said. "She will guide our efforts to effectively reach volunteers and donors interested in priorities including the launch of the Carolina Performing Arts Endowment Campaign, which will build a substantial permanent foundation of support for the performing arts."

Kang arrived in January as plans for major renovations and expansion to three of the campus’s performing arts venues had begun as part of the development of a new Arts Common. When fully funded, the Arts Common aims to elevate the quality and reach of the arts on campus to the local community and across North Carolina.

The executive director’s office manages three performing arts venues: Memorial Hall, the historic Playmakers Theater and Gerrard Hall. Kang also guides the university in planning and articulating a comprehensive performing arts program. Bratcher’s fund-raising work will support Kang’s efforts and the university’s Carolina First Campaign.

Private giving played a key role in the successful three-year, nearly $18 million renovation of Memorial Hall, which will celebrate a gala opening Sept. 9-11. Private donors raised more than $5 million. Other sources included the Higher Education Bond Referendum approved by N.C. voters ($10.8 million) and state legislators who approved advance planning funds for the project ($800,000).

Most recently, Bratcher was managing director for nearly three years of the Royal Shakespeare Co. America Inc., the world’s leading English language theatre company, in Washington, D.C. She spent two years creating a U.S. fund-raising office and focusing on the United Kingdom and other locations around the world.

Bratcher worked from 1998 to 2003 in the university’s central Office of Development, serving as director of principal gifts and director of special campaigns. In principal gifts from 2000 to 2003, Bratcher worked with the university administration and alumni volunteers on plans to seek gifts of $1 million or more. In special campaigns from 1998 to 2000, she worked to support campus-wide priorities focusing on student public service groups, women’s issues, the arts – including the Memorial Hall renovation – and projects without prior volunteers or donor prospects. She also spent four years, from 1978 to 1982 as director of audience development for the university’s Playmakers Repertory Co.

Her other experience includes stints as a senior fund-raising counsel for the Capital Consortium Inc. in Raleigh, which served non-profit clients across the Southeast. She was also vice president for development at the American Social Health Association and director of development and community relations for the UNC Center for Public Television, both based in Research Triangle Park. Bratcher was the director of marketing for the Florida Orchestra in Tampa. She has made presentations at numerous meetings of professional fund-raising organizations in London and the United States.

A native of Louisville, Ky., Bratcher earned a master of fine arts and arts management degree from the University of Iowa. She is a graduate of Denison University in Granville, Ohio.

-- 30 --

Photo URL: To download a photo, go to http://www.unc.edu/news/pics/bratcher_priscilla_05.JPG

Related links: www.unc.edu/performingarts

News Services contact: Mike McFarland, (919) 962-8593, mike_mcfarland@unc.edu