Cuesta College received its largest ever donation for arts programs.
On Thursday, the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust announced a $1.5 million donation to Cuesta College. A formal presentation took place on Friday.
The donation is the largest donation for Cuesta art programs and the second largest donation in the college’s history.
Faculty members say they plan to use much of the money to bring more art exhibitions and productions to campus that are otherwise not found locally. The exhibitions and performances are designed to broaden the education of all Cuesta students, not just those pursuing art degrees.
"For most of those students, it’s the first time they’ve ever set foot in a gallery to see real art," said Fine Arts Chair Margaret Korisheli. "For us, we’re really proud to have a gallery that opens a new world to them."
As part of the donation, the Cultural and Performing Arts Center will be renamed in Miossi’s honor.
The Miossi Trust previously donated $250,000 to Cuesta arts programs in 2014. Cuesta College administrators say that money went to support multiple exhibitions.
