ORONO – When patrons visit the University of Maine’s new Collins Center for the Arts after its January opening, they will first enter the Hannaford Charitable Foundation Grand Lobby, so named in recognition of a $100,000 gift from that organization. The foundation’s board approved the gift in July.

Formerly known as the Maine Center for the Arts, the Orono facility is the region’s premiere performing arts venue. An extensive $11 million expansion and remodeling project began last year.

“As the remodeled Collins Center for the Arts continues to take shape, our community’s anticipation of its January opening has become palpable,” said UM President Robert Kennedy. “This wonderful gift demonstrates the Hannaford Charitable Foundation’s enthusiasm for this project and it exemplifies the statewide support that has characterized the private fundraising campaign associated with it. We are most grateful to the Hannaford Charitable Foundation and all those associated with that fine Maine corporation.”

“The new Hannaford Charitable Foundation Grand Lobby will offer an inspiring entry to the remodeled performance facility,” said UM Vice President for Development Eric Rolfson. “The foundation’s generosity is instrumental in helping us create a new facility that will reflect UMaine’s quality and its commitment to providing access to the arts for our students and others who are part of the UMaine community.”

The building will be named for Richard R. and Anne A. Collins of Key Largo, Fla., and Northport, UMaine alumni who made a $5 million donation to the project last year.

Maine Center for the Arts programming has continued during the remodeling project, with music, theater and other events presented at other UM facilities and venues around Maine. For more information about upcoming events, visit www2.umaine.edu/mca/.