Festival Sponsorship Opportunities
GALA Choruses Festival celebrates more than 15,000 singers representing nearly 200 LGBTQ* choruses in North America and beyond. Festival 2024 choirs will perform at world-class venues in downtown Minneapolis including Orchestra Hall, The Minneapolis Convention Center, and Central Lutheran Church.
GALA Choruses Festival offers unique sponsorship opportunities for organizations to connect with the LGBTQ* community. Festival 2016 in Denver, CO, gathered more than 6000 singers in-person and more than 14,000 unique viewers online.
GALA Choruses, the leading non-profit association committed to serving the LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Allies) choral movement, found its roots in the formation of Philadelphia’s Anna Crusis Women’s Choir in 1975. This was followed in rapid succession by the formation of the Stonewall Chorale, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) and choruses in New York City, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago and Vancouver.
In 1982, SFGMC went on a tour of 12 cities nation-wide (they are pictured here in a 1980 parade). This inspired the formation of many new lesbian and gay choruses. Representatives of 12 of these choruses met in Chicago to discuss shared concerns they had about being gay/lesbian choruses in a society that was less than welcoming. GALA Performing Arts was tentatively formed.
The following year Gay Games I was held in San Francisco. 14 choruses met for the First West Coast Choral Festival. This led to the permanent establishment of the GALA Choruses Network. The name was changed to GALA Choruses and a 501(c)(3) status was obtained in 1982.
The following year, membership grew to 39 choruses. Today nearly 200 choruses, primarily in North America but also from around the world, are members of GALA Choruses. These organizations participate in the quadrennial Festival, annual leadership symposia, monthly Zoom groups, compositions, partnerships, virtual events, the 411 program (bringing expert assistance directly to artistic directors, executive directors and boards) as well as one-on-one interaction.
WE INVITE YOU to take part in GALA Choruses’ on-going success by sharing your support and message to our very dedicated membership. We are a market worthy of your attention; we are in your city and every major metropolitan area across the United States.
GALA Choruses is the association that binds nearly 200 choruses together. Founded in the United States, we have expanded throughout North America and the world. However, the majority of choruses are located in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Mapping GALA Choruses’ Members
GALA Choruses by the Numbers: United States
You will find a GALA Choruses’ member in each of the Top 20 major US metropolitan areas:
- New York City: 20,182,305—Empire City Men’s Chorus, Key of Q, Lavender Light, New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, Stonewall Chorale & Youth Pride Chorus
- Los Angeles: 13,340,068—Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, South Coast Chorale, Trans Chorus Los Angeles & West Coast Singers
- Chicago: 9,551,031—Allegrezza, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, Kiki Queens &Windy City Gay Chorus
- Dallas-Fort Worth: 7,102,796—Turtle Creek Chorale
- Houston: 6,656,947—Pride Chorus Houston
- Washington, DC: 6,097,684—Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC
- Philadelphia: 6,069,875—Anna Crusis Feminist Choir, CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, Philadelphia Gay Men’s, Chorus, Philadelphia Voices of Pride & The Rainbow Chorale
- Miami: 6,012,331—Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus, Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida & Miami Gay Men’s Chorus
- Atlanta: 5,710,795—Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus, Atlanta Women’s Chorus & OurSong: The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chorus
- Boston: 4,774,321—Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, Coro Allegro & Voices Rising
- San Francisco: 4,656,132—Anything Goes Chorus, Gay Asian Pacific Alliance Men’s Chorus, Golden Gate Men’s Chorus, Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco, Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus, Rainbow Women’s Chorus, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus, SWAG & The Choral Project
- Phoenix: 4,574,531—Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus, Phoenix Women’s Chorus & Voices of the Desert
- Detroit: 4,302,043—Encore Men’s Chorus, LanSINGout Gay Men’s Chorus, Out Loud Chorus, PRISM Men’s Chorus, Sing Out Detroit: LGBT & Allies Chorus & Sistrum Lansing Women’s Chorus
- Seattle: 3,733,580—Diverse Harmony, The Esoterics, Princess Guy, Puget Soundworks, Seattle Men’s Chorus & Seattle Women’s Chorus
- Minneapolis/St. Paul: 3,524,583—Calliope Women’s Chorus, One Voice Mixed Chorus, shout: Minnesota’s Trans & Gender Diverse Voices, Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus & Twin Cities Women’s Choir
- San Diego: 3,299,521—In aChord Men’s Ensemble, San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus & San Diego Women’s Chorus
- Tampa Bay: 2,975,225—Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota & The Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay
- Denver: 2,814,330—Denver Gay Men’s Chorus; Denver Women’s Chorus; Harmony: a Colorado Chorale; Phoenix, Colorado’s Trans Community Choir; Resonance Women’s Chorus of Boulder, Sage Singers, Sine Nomine & Sound Circle
- St. Louis: 2,811,588—CHARIS – the St. Louis Women’s Chorus & Gateway Men’s Chorus of St. Louis
- Baltimore: 2,797,407—New Wave Singers of Baltimore
TOTAL: 120,987,093
GALA Choruses by the Numbers: Canada
GALA Choruses’ members are also located in these three major Canadian markets:
- Toronto: 6,116,725—Singing Out! Toronto’s LGBTQ Chorus
- Montreal: 4,045,877—Ensemble Vocal Extravaganza, l’Ensemble Vocal Ganymede
- Vancouver: 2,509,942—Vancouver Men’s Chorus
TOTAL: 12,672,544
GALA Choruses by the Numbers: Mexico
- Mexico City: 20,892,724—Coro Gay Ciudad de Mexico
TOTAL: 20,892,724
GALA Choruses is perhaps best known for coordinating and hosting a quadrennial Festival. This signature event, known as the Gala Festival, is held every four years to celebrate over 15,000 singers representing nearly 200 LGBTQA choruses, primarily throughout North America but also world-wide.
In 2020, the GALA Festival was scheduled to be in Minneapolis, Minnesota. More than 1,100 songs would have been sung in three venues: Orchestra Hall, the Minneapolis Convention Center and the majestic Central Lutheran Church. Over 170 performances were scheduled, all open to the public. In addition, 120 performance hours were slated to be broadcast live via the internet. Its predecessor, the GALA Festival 2016 in Denver, was the largest LGBTQA performing arts gathering in the world. The GALA Festival 2020 was expected to top that. Sadly we, like so many other arts groups, were forced to cancel due to COVID.
With 2020 behind us we are planning and looking forward to a robust and much-needed Festival in 2024. Due to pent-up demand, we expect that the GALA Festival 2024 will break all previous attendance records. It is not an understatement to say that it is highly anticipated by the GALA Choruses’ membership. There are several impactful opportunities for supporting GALA Choruses at Festival 2024 while raising your profile and reaching our attendees.
Customize your sponsorship packages with select add-ons to help your message target our audience and strengthen your institutional marketing plan. Studies show that our LGBTQ demographic is very loyal to those who support them, and in return will show their appreciation for your thoughtful support of GALA in a valuable and constructive way.
Are you looking for brand loyalty?
According to Community Marketing Inc. & Harris Interactive:
- 55% of LGBT consumers will choose to do business with companies that are committed to the diversity/equal treatment of the LGBT community.
- 70% of LGBT adults stated they would pay a premium for a product from a company that supports the LGBT community.
- 78% of LGBT adults and their friends, family and relatives would switch to brands that are known to be LGBT-friendly.
Survey respondents responded to the following questions:
1.) “Corporations that support LGBTQ equality are more important than ever.”
85% Agree
13% Neutral
2% Disagree
2.) “I tend to support companies that market to and support the LGBTQ community.”
78% Agree
20% Neutral
2% Disagree
3.) “Companies that support LGBTQ equality will get more of my business this year.”
76% Agree
22% Neutral
2% Disagree
Today more than ever you’ll find loyalty here. Thank you for considering investing in GALA Choruses!
As our top-tier sponsor, your name and logo will appear on everything association with the GALA Festival. As our largest supporter, your imaging will be the first (and largest) to appear on all marketing materials (website, Festival app, e-blasts, social media ads, live-broadcast spots, venue signage and from each stage) as well as a tote bag given to each registrant (also featuring your logo). The event will be labeled as “< YOUR COMPANY NAME > Presents GALA Festival 2024!”
Other benefits of being the Presenter Level Sponsor include:
- Premium logo placement: anywhere “GALA Festival 2024” is printed [social media ads, the GALA Festival 2024 E-Application Banner Ad, GALA Website home page (with click-through link), Website – Festival “About” Page, the printed program, the phone app, tote bags, e-mails, on-line newsletters/blasts and media press releases] or verbally introduced (from on stage, simulcast or on the radio) your name will be in front of it. This includes venue signage and help desk signage.
- At the Opening Night Concert, our most-anticipated and energized event, a representative of your team will be invited to give opening remarks welcoming the attendees.
- Featured as overall sponsor in video introduction of key performances.
- Verbal recognition (from the stage in performances) when welcoming attendees to the event as part of the GALA Festival 2024.
- Social media customizable digital ads with logo including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
- Festival E-Application banner ad with link.
- Website home page logo.
- Website Festival “About” page logo (click-through).
- Program ad premium placement: Inside front cover or outside back cover.
- Logo featured plus two “spotlight” articles in e-mails and on-line newsletters to entire membership.
- Media release sponsor recognition.
- Comp tickets: 8 tickets for any performance, any venue.
- Pinnacle Auction tickets: 10 tickets.
Investment: $50,000
Your organization can be the sponsor of one of the three performance halls. These include Orchestra Hall, the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) and Central Lutheran Church.
Orchestra Hall
Located at Peavey Plaza on 11th Street between the pedestrian Nicollet Mall and Marquette Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, it seats 2,089 people. 1,200 are seated on the gently sloping main floor with the remaining seats located on three balcony levels along the sides and rear of the hall. Opened in 1974 (and remodeled in the last decade) by Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, the auditorium is actually a second building separated (in order to improve acoustics) by a one-inch gap from the building’s shell. Designed in a modernist style to be accessible to all, it features a stage with unusual cubes to enhance sound. The hall is compliant with the Americans with Disability Act.
Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC)
The largest indoor, contiguous convention center in the upper Midwest with 1.6 square miles of meeting and event space, the MCC will be home to our information desk, the GALA Festival store and vendor booths. The expandable spaces are ideal for workshops as well as ensembles. Located at 1301 2nd Avenue South, the building is fully compliant with the American with Disabilities Act.
Central Lutheran Church
Located at 333 South 12th Street, Central Lutheran Church is one of the largest Gothic-style churches in the region and is known for its excellent acoustics and stunning pipe organ. It is the perfect space for classical and a cappella choirs. Constructed from 1926 – 1928, it features classic arched stained glass windows, choir and transept. The space holds about 1,000 attendees comfortably split between the main floor and balconies. It is conveniently located across the street from the MCC.
The benefits of being a Hall Sponsor include:
- Your logo is displayed in the front of the hall during the run of the Festival 2024.
- You logo is also displayed on signage at the hall’s entrance.
- Featured in video intro of key performances.
- Verbal recognition (from the stage in performances) as the hall sponsor.
- Social media customizable digital ads with logo including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
- Festival E-Application banner ad with link.
- Website home page logo.
- Website Festival “About” page logo (click-through).
- Program ad, full page.
- Logo featured plus two “spotlight” articles in e-mails and on-line newsletters to entire membership.
- Media release sponsor recognition.
- Comp tickets: 8 tickets for each performance in the hall you sponsor.
- Pinnacle Auction tickets: 8 tickets.
Investment
- Orchestra Hall: $20,000
- Minneapolis Convention Center: $15,000.
- Central Lutheran: $10,000
Opening Night Overture Concert
After 8 years of waiting for the Festival 2024, the excitement and anticipation will build to an overwhelmingly powerful crescendo! Historically, as all the registrants gather together in one space to bask in the beauty of joining voices together in song, this event is powerful, high-energy and emotionally charged. This opening night concert launches the Festival and sets the tone for the event. Attended by all delegates, this high-energy event kicks off the entire Festival.
The benefits of being the Opening Night Overture Concert Sponsor include:
- During the concert introductions, a representative of your team will be invited to give opening remarks welcoming the attendees (order to be determined by GALA’s Artistic Director, a representative from Presenter Level Sponsor will also be speaking).
- Your logo is displayed on signage at the hall’s entrance.
- Featured in video intro of performance.
- Verbal recognition (from the stage in performances) as the hall sponsor.
- Social media customizable digital ads with logo including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
- Website home page logo.
- Website Festival “About” page logo (click-through).
- Program ad, full page.
- Logo featured plus one “spotlight” article in e-mails and on-line newsletters to entire membership.
- Media release sponsor recognition.
- Comp tickets: 4 tickets for the performance.
- Pinnacle Auction tickets: 4 tickets.
Investment: $20,000
Blockbuster Concerts
Blockbuster Concerts are themed concerts that involved several member choruses. As a result they trend larger in audience size. There are four Blockbuster Concerts; three of these have already been reserved (Olivia Cruises, Berkshire Choral International and ACFEA Tour Consultants) but we still have one sponsorship available for only $5,000.
Click (or copy and paste) this link to see one of our more recent Blockbuster Concerts, Naked Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWtQL9jfeqI
The benefits of sponsoring a Blockbuster Concert include:
- Your logo is displayed on signage at the hall’s entrance.
- Verbal recognition (from the stage in performances) as the hall sponsor.
- Social media customizable digital ads with logo including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
- Website home page logo.
- Website Festival “About” page logo (click-through).
- Program ad, half page.
- Logo featured plus one “spotlight” article in e-mails and on-line newsletters to the entire membership.
- Media release sponsor recognition.
- Comp tickets: 4 tickets for the performance.
- Pinnacle Auction tickets: 2 tickets.
- For concerts performed at Orchestra Hall, promo spots on live broadcast may be available at an additional cost.
Investment: $5,000 each
Pinnacle Event
Sponsor our high-end donor fund-raising event, Pinnacle. This sit-down event features hors d’oeuvres, drinks, entertainment, an auction, special guest speaker and the bestowing of the Legacy Awards (sponsorship opportunity described below). This sponsorship has been claimed by the Royal Bank of Canada.
Legacy Awards
These awards are presented during the Pinnacle Event (described on the previous page). Awards include:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: honoring the individual whose body of work has significantly impacted the global community around LGBT choral movement issues.
- Heritage Award: recognizes the individual who exemplifies an exceptional commitment to the commission and vision of GALA Choruses.
- Distinguished Service Award: celebrates the individual whose service to GALA Choruses, Inc. or multiple member choruses is above the call of duty on a regional or national basis.
The sponsorship for this event has been taken by Chorus America.
Latin@ Community Reception
Sponsor our welcome reception for our Latin@ attendees, a casual evening featuring light hors d’oeuvres and drinks as well as an official welcome. As part of the welcome, a thank you will be extended to your sponsoring organization. Your logo will also be displayed in the Festival program. In addition, your logo can be displayed in the reception area. Other options include logoed napkins, logoed waters and/or a specialty drink (this would be an additional cost).
Investment: $1,000
Artistic Directors’ Breakfast Reception
Watch the creativity flow as these talented artists come together to break bread and network. As part of the introduction and welcome, a special thank you will be given highlighting your organization’s generosity. Your logo will also be displayed in the Festival program. In addition, your logo can be displayed in the breakfast reception room. Other options include logoed napkins, logoed waters and/or table top tent signs (this would be an additional cost to the sponsor).
Investment: $1,000
Hang-Out Rooms
Interested in reaching targeted groups within the GALA membership? We have the following Hang-out rooms available. In return for your investment, your logo will be displayed in the room as well as in the Festival program. You can extend your reach by providing logoed napkins, logoed water bottles, handouts, magnets, swag and table top tent signs (to be provided at the sponsor’s cost).
Composer and Arrangers Green Room – Pamper these special artists by sponsoring their green room. This provides an area to retreat, recharge, reflect and network.
New Harmony Hang-out Room – With a special focus on Equity, Access and Belonging, this room is specifically designed for those singers who may need a moment of oasis, a place to connect or an opportunity to network.
Youth Hang-out Room – With all these “old” people hanging around, our youth attendees need a space of their own. Geared to a younger demographic, a sponsor could have some fun decking out this vibrant and youthful space.
Investment: $500 each
Peavey Plaza Outdoor Stage
This outdoor stage is adjacent to Orchestra Hall on Peavey Plaza and hosts multiple concerts including the very popular Bring the Sing event, GALA’s version of a choral flash mob. This architecturally significant space was opened in 1975 (and recently remodeled) by M. Paul Friedberg (who also designed the nearby Loring Greenway) is located between Orchestra Hall and the Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis’ main pedestrian shopping and entertainment thoroughfare. Therefore concerts are open to the public in this high-traffic location which sees foot traffic of nearly 25,000 pedestrians per day. Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) had agreed to broadcast this event live for the GALA Festival 2020 (which was canceled due to COVID). Discussions are underway for 2024.
The benefits of being the sponsor for Peavey Plaza include:
- Your logo is displayed by the stage for every Peavey Plaza concert.
- Verbal recognition (from the stage in performances) as the hall sponsor.
- Social media customizable digital ads with logo including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
- Festival E-Application banner ad with link.
- Website home page logo.
- Website Festival “About” page logo (click-through).
- Program ad, half page.
- Logo featured plus one “spotlight” article in e-mails and on-line newsletters to entire membership.
- Media release sponsor recognition.
- Pinnacle Auction tickets: 4 tickets.
Investment: $5,000
Festival Workshops
As our LGBTQ musicians gather from across the globe, part of their time at Festival will include attending workshops. Are you interested in leading a choral-related workshop? Speak with Dwight Joyner for more details.
Symposium Workshops
COVID has changed our world. Throughout 2020 and for much of 2021 we have come together digitally. We were able to have a hybrid physical/virtual GALA Symposium in 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. This featured several days of multiple workshop tracks for Chorus administrators, Artistic Directors, Board leadership and singers. Sponsors for next year’s event as well as individual workshops are being sought. The event sponsorship is available for $3,000. GALA is also seeking a sponsor for the bar.
This offers a unique opportunity to “dip your toe” into GALA Choruses and to get to know more about our mission and people in a live setting.
The benefit of being the event sponsor includes:
- A representative of your team will be invited to give opening remarks welcoming the attendees.
- Logo placement: anywhere “GALA Symposium 2023” is printed [social media ads, GALA Website home page (with click-through link), Website – Symposium “About” Page, the printed program, the phone app, e-mails, on-line newsletters/blasts and media press releases] or verbally introduced your name will be in front of it. This includes venue signage and help desk signage.
Event sponsor investment: $3,000
A New Harmony Program
As a social justice non-profit, a main focus of GALA Choruses is our A New Harmony program. Many affiliated choruses and their members will be attending the A New Harmony workshops.
If your company values DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and is looking to expand its commitment, our A New Harmony Workbook is a strategic opportunity to sponsor the belongingness of everyone. GALA Choruses provides this handbook at no charge to the user (this has been provided and will continue to be provided to both member organizations as well as to non-profits and firms outside of our membership roster). Imagine your company’s logo on the handbook cover as the users move beyond performative discussion and create a table where every voice participates and is heard.
In addition to promoting your name during the workshops, your logo will also be featured on the A New Harmony Workbook for the coming year. Your organization will be mentioned in social media posts regarding the program as well as by session facilitators leading DEI groups.
A New Harmony is an on-going program with several facilitators working with organizations across North America. If you would like to expand your company’s reach and commitment to equality, place your logo and branding on the A New Harmony Workbook. This investment would begin immediately and run through the GALA Festival 2024 at a cost of $5,000 per year ($10,000 total).
Interested in more information on A New Harmony? Learn more at https://galachoruses.org/resource-center/a-new-harmony/
Virtual Event Series
To overcome COVID obstacles, GALA Choruses initiated a series of virtual events to connect singers, share what member choruses are doing and keep our social justice work moving forward. These events have included choral works and interviews with singers, composers, directors and social activist and are planned and curated by GALA Artistic Director Jane Ramseyer Miller. This model will continue into 2023. An example of this is the Rise Up Singing event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq33Kg1WX9c
Sponsor one virtual concert for $2,500 or underwrite an entire four-part series (annual) for $7,500.
Benefits include:
- Your company name included as the sponsor in all social media and communications surrounding the virtual event.
- A promotional digital ad included as part of the broadcast.
- Sponsorship with corporate link of targeted newsletters and e-blasts.
Additional Opportunities
Customize your reach and impact with these add-ons. We can tailor an approach that works for you.
- Festival Program: In addition to the sponsorships listed above, you can also place additional advertisements in our Festival Program (print, Festival app or both).
- Festival Exhibitor Booth Space: This is your opportunity to be a part of the GALA Festival 2024 and interface with the attendees. Do you have a message to share? Now is your chance! Booths will be located at the Minneapolis Convention Center.