The Tabor Opera House Preservation Foundation is seeking new members to its board of directors, including a Youth Liaison. Successful candidates will join in the work of revitalizing the historic Tabor Opera House and creating a community hub for culture and the arts in historic Leadville, Colorado.

By operating and maintaining the Tabor Opera House, the foundation plays an important role in preserving Colorado history and in promoting Leadville’s economy. Built in 1879 by mining magnate Horace Tabor, the building is one of only a few remaining opera houses in the state. Yet it is in urgent need of rehabilitation.

The foundation and the City of Leadville completed $1.5 million of the first phase of a $15 million rehabilitation in 2021. The foundation and the city are making progress toward their long-range vision, which positions the Tabor as a major economic driver.

Board Member Responsibilities

The board of directors supports the foundation’s work and provides mission-based leadership, strategic governance, and fundraising. The foundation’s board president and a small building facilities staff lead day-to-day operations. The board meets monthly, and specialized committees hold monthly work sessions. The Youth Liaison is a non-voting position, open to youth aged 16-24.

Board members will join to achieve these 2022 priorities:

  • Save the Tabor, deemed a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Strong board leadership is critical as the foundation secures funding for the first major rehabilitation in the building’s 140+ year history.
  • Preserve the Tabor’s historic stage scenery. The board will help decide how to care for and publicly share the 1879 and 1902 stage scenery found in the Tabor, considered the finest collection of historic stage scenery in North America and featured in the New York Times.
  • Bring live performances back to the stage. In 2022, the foundation will bring performances back to the stage and continue offering Tabor tours that enable locals and visitors worldwide to experience the arts and the historic building.
  • Support Leadville’s economy. By making programming and operations possible, board members help create jobs for local staff, support local businesses, and cultivate key local community connections.

Ideal board candidates will have prior experience with overseeing non-profit organizations; an aptitude for effective fundraising; experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion; a mindset for collaborative decision making; and a passion for history and the performing arts. The foundation is especially seeking applicants with legal and marketing backgrounds. Youth Liaison candidates will have a desire to build leadership skills and help broader engagement of local youth in achieving the mission of the foundation.

The foundation believes that the membership of its board should reflect the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of the Leadville community. Applicants are encouraged to highlight aspects of their life experience and skill sets that would help the board make stronger connections to underrepresented sectors of the community, especially Spanish-speaking and Latino neighbors.

For more information, or to submit a letter of interest, please visit www.taboroperahouse.net or email infoandpress@taboroperahouse.net.