Sponsorship

With your sponsorship, the May Festival is building on 150+ years of excellence and tradition, presenting inspiring Festivals at the highest artistic level while reaching ever-growing, new audiences. Your sponsorship sets a vital example and encourages others to join you — make a lasting impact and inquire today!

Festival Concerts & Events Overview:

MAY 15, 2026 | 7:30 PM

AN ECLECTIC OPENING NIGHT

Join us for an unforgettable opening night of the May Festival! Bruckner’s Psalm 150 sets the tone with a fanfare of voices, then anchored by the words of Langston Hughes and fellow Harlem Renaissance poets, the evening traverses spiritual depths, culminating in a work of the May Festival’s own curation — the “Eclectic Mass” — a collection of pieces from the sacred music tradition, including a vibrant new Sanctus from Grammy-nominated composer, Carlos Simon.

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Festival Events:

Opening Night Party
Julia Bullock in Recital: “A Dream Deferred”
Vocal Arts Ensemble: Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle
Pre-Concert Talks: Jason Alexander Holmes & Guests
Pre-Concert Performances: Community Partners
Young People’s Concert
The Betsy Young Amen Party

Sponsorship Opportunities

Festival & & Festival Director Sponsorships

  • Festival Sponsor – All 2026 Concerts & Events | $50,000
  • Festival Director Sponsor – Julia Bullock, 2026 Festival Director | $50,000

Presenting & Season Sponsorships

  • Season Sponsor – All 2026 Concerts | $25,000
  • Presenting Sponsor – 2026 Guest Artists | $20,000

Concert & Special Event Sponsorships

  • An Eclectic Opening Night, FRI MAY 15 | $12,500
  • The Water’s Journey, SAT MAY 16 | $10,000
  • On Love and Lust, THU MAY 21 | $10,000
  • Festival Finale: Porgy & Bess, SAT MAY 23 | $10,000
  • Julia Bullock in Recital | $10,000
  • VAE Sings Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle | $10,000
  • May Festival Young People’s Concert | $10,000

Guest Artist & Artistic Sponsorships

  • An Eclectic Opening Night
    • Cristian Măcelaru, conductor | $12,500
    • Julia Bullock, soprano | $7,500
    • Carlos Simon, Hammond organ & composer | $5,000
    • Jason Alexander Holmes, preacher | $5,000
    • Norman Garrett, baritone | $2,500
  • The Water’s Journey
    • Cristian Măcelaru, conductor | $12,500
    • Ailyn Pérez, soprano | $5,000
    • Norman Garrett, baritone | $2,500
  • On Love and Lust
    • Matthew Swanson, conductor | $10,000
    • Cincinnati Ballet’s Second Company, guest ensemble | $10,000
    • Yoshihisa Arai, guest choreographer | $10,000
    • Costumes & Wardrobe | $10,000
    • Victoria Okafor, soprano | $5,000
    • Nicholas Phan, tenor | $5,000
    • Pianist sponsor | $5,000
    • Sara Couden, contralto | $2,500
    • Yannis François, bass-baritone | $2,500
    • Pointe Shoes | $2,500
  • Festival Finale: Porgy & Bess
    • Anthony Parnther, conductor | $10,000
    • Julia Bullock, soprano | $7,500
    • Alfred Walker, bass-baritone | $5,000

Pre-Concert Sponsorships

  • Herald Trumpets – Four Music Hall Concerts | $7,500
  • May Festival Floral Display – Music Hall Concerts | $2,500
  • Pre-Concert Talk with Jason Alexander Holmes & Guest – An Eclectic Opening Night | $1,000
  • Pre-Concert Talk with Jason Alexander Holmes & Guest – The Water’s Journey | $1,000
  • Pre-Concert Talk with Jason Alexander Holmes & Guest – On Love and Lust | $1,000
  • Pre-Concert Talk with Jason Alexander Holmes & Guest – Festival Finale: Porgy & Bess | $1,000

For More Information Contact:
Julianne Akins Smith, Executive Director
[email protected]
614.361.3382 (c)

 

Sponsorship Benefits

For More Information Contact:
Julianne Akins Smith, Executive Director
[email protected]
614.361.3382 (c)