Hughes Credit Union’s $5M gift to transform Fox Tucson Theatre | Good News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – The Fox Tucson Theatre is getting a major expansion thanks to a $5 million partnership with Hughes Federal Credit Union, marking one of the largest corporate donations ever made to a Tucson arts organization.

The multi-year naming rights agreement will create the Hughes Federal Credit Union Event Center at the Fox Tucson, which will serve as the Stone Avenue entrance for the expanded performing arts complex, officials stated. The new space will host performances, community events and educational programming of various sizes.

“This is a transformational moment for the Fox and for our entire community,” Bonnie Schock, executive director of Fox Tucson Theatre, said. “Hughes Federal Credit Union’s extraordinary generosity is not only an investment in a building but also in our city’s cultural vibrancy, economic prosperity, equitable access, education, and the future of the performing arts in Southern Arizona.”

Schock noted that both organizations have deep roots in Tucson, with Hughes operating for nearly 75 years and the Fox for nearly 100 years.

The partnership brings the Fox’s $26.6 million capital campaign to approximately the halfway mark, according to officials. Hughes has challenged the community to match their commitment with gifts or pledges of $100,000 or more before the end of this year to speed up the groundbreaking and construction timeline.

“This gift represents both confidence in the Fox’s vision and a call to action,” Dave Volk, board president of Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation, said. “We are deeply grateful to Hughes Federal Credit Union for its leadership.”

Officials stated the expansion will increase the Fox’s ability to serve youth and families across Tucson through its KITT program, which stands for Kids in the Theatre.

The program currently brings more than 15,000 young people into the performing arts each year through school matinees, Storytime, autism-friendly events, family shows, educator workshops, and summer camps, officials said. Thousands of complimentary tickets go to Title I schools, teachers and caregivers annually through community partners.

The expanded complex is projected to welcome more than 150,000 guests each year and generate an estimated $18 million annual economic impact for the region.

“At Hughes, we believe a community’s health and economic vitality depend on more than financial services — they depend on access to education, the arts, and the kinds of experiences that open doors for young people,” Elisa Ross, chief experience officer at Hughes Federal Credit Union, said. “The Fox has been making that happen in Tucson for nearly a century.”

Ross said the partnership aligns with the credit union’s priorities and deep roots in the community.

The Fox Tucson Theatre originally opened in 1930 and is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its full restoration this year. The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Architectural design approval from the City of Tucson is anticipated in 2027, with groundbreaking in 2028 and a grand opening in 2030, officials said. The opening would coincide with the Fox’s 100th anniversary.

More information about the expansion can be found online.