The Clark State Performing Arts Center will induct J. Chris Moore, director emeritus of the Springfield Arts Council, as the first inductee of the Arts of Springfield Hall of Honor at the annual Clark State Performing Arts Center Gala this spring.
The Arts of Springfield Hall of Honor will annually induct an individual or organization which has demonstrated a significant and lasting contribution to the support of the performing arts in Springfield. This achievement may be through outstanding leadership, advocacy, philanthropy, innovation or curatorship of the arts in Springfield.
“This is the inauguration of the honor,” said Adele Adkins, executive director of the Clark State Performing Arts Center. “As the home to the Springfield Arts Council and Springfield Symphony Orchestra, along with our own presentations, it was a no-brainer for the first inductee to be J. Chris Moore. He led the Springfield Arts Council for almost 40 years and really built the organization to what it is today. He was a true arts leader for decades, and his arts legacy will live on for generations.”
Moore grew up in Fairborn, Ohio, and attended Hillside Avenue Church of God in Springfield where he regularly sang in a trio with his brother and sister. He took piano and voice lessons during elementary school and studied organ with his high school choir director. In fourth grade, Moore was accepted into the Dayton Rotary Boys Choir, a group with which he was a soloist and toured nationally until he was a junior in high school. Raising money for the group’s annual tours taught him important fundraising skills that would later serve him in his career with the Springfield Arts Council.
Moore attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree with a double major in vocal performance and music education and a minor in organ.
Moore assumed the new position of full-time executive director for the Springfield Arts Council in January of 1974 and held it until January 2013 when he was named director emeritus prior to his retirement in August 2013.
When the Clark State Performing Arts Center was constructed in downtown Springfield to house the Springfield Symphony and the Springfield Arts Council’s touring series, Moore helped to inform those planning the facility on its technical needs and capacity.
Over the years, Moore worked with the Springfield Arts Council to present a blend of popular and high-quality artistic programs.
Responding to a request from artists for improved facilities in the park for the Summer Arts Festival, Moore led the effort to seek a designer and to organize a fundraising effort to make renovations to the Veteran’s Park Amphitheater, a project that showcased a return to the stage in 2005 of Springfield’s own John Legend.
Moore said he was excited to be a part of the creation of the Clark State Performing Arts Center, to present a wide variety of high-quality programming and honored to receive the Springfield Hall of Honor award in recognition of his work throughout the community.
“I have a special place in my heart for the Springfield community who has been supportive of my work throughout my career,” said Moore. “The Clark State Performing Arts Center was an important milestone along the way that helped enhance the cultural life in our community.”
The Clark State Performing Arts Center Gala will be held on Friday, May 1 at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center, 275 South Limestone Street in downtown Springfield. Doors open at 5 p.m. for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with dinner and the Arts of Springfield Hall of Honor award to follow at 6 p.m.
Singer and songwriter Michael Bolton will take the stage at 8 p.m. at the Clark State Performing Arts Center. He will present The Symphony Sessions with special guests, members of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.