Former Schaumburg mayor's donation expands arts opportunities for youth

Nine months after ending his three-decade-long run as Schaumburg mayor, Al Larson will be recognized Feb. 8 at the village's performing arts venue that bears his name for his donation to expand arts opportunities for young people who otherwise could not afford them.

Schaumburg's Cultural Services Director Jack Netter said the donation will help at least eight to 10 young musicians, dancers and actors annually participate in arts programs for many years to come.

After discussions between Larson and Prairie Center Foundation officials, the donation was earmarked for the new Young Artists Assistance Program, Netter said. Officials declined to state the exact amount of the donation.

Larson said the donation stems from his belief that the arts make the world a better place, and his awareness that not every young person has adequate access to the arts.

"It expands the reach of the Prairie Center for the Arts to a whole new audience," he said.

Larson's official recognition is scheduled for the intermission of Andreas Kern and Paul Cibis' Piano Battle that starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court in Schaumburg.

In July 2017, Schaumburg trustees voted unanimously to rename the then 31-year-old Prairie Center for Larson while he was in his eighth and final term as mayor. The motion was made by then Trustee Tom Dailly, who last year succeeded Larson as mayor.

At the time of the renaming, Dailly explained that not only had Larson been strongly supportive of programs housed at the Prairie Center, but he also was instrumental as a trustee in choosing its size and location on the municipal campus.

Since stepping down as mayor April 30, Larson said he's been serving on the village's environmental committee and cultural commission, and still attending performances at the Prairie Center.

Though this has been the first year since 1975 that he's not held any seat on the village board, Larson said he's happy with the progress it's made and especially impressed by Dailly - with whom he said he's had a history of shared priorities.

"What I've seen so far has been very encouraging," Larson said. "He's continuing to pursue some very worthy goals."