Copernicus Cultural Foundation Donates $100,000 to Support Music Programs

The Stevens Point Area Public School District is honored to announce a generous $100,000 gift from the Copernicus Cultural Foundation. This funding will be dedicated to the purchase, replacement, and repair of musical instruments and related music equipment, greatly enhancing the district's ability to provide exceptional music education for its students.

The Copernicus Cultural Foundation, known for its stewardship of valuable string instruments and its scholarship programs for high school seniors and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students interested in pursuing music, recently expanded its mission to support music education at the junior high and middle school levels. In September, John Kolinski and Tom Mrozinski of the foundation’s board of directors met with Kurt Van Tiem, the district’s music coordinator, to learn more about the music programs at P.J. Jacobs Junior High, Ben Franklin Junior High, and SPASH.

"Music has the power to inspire and transform young lives," said Kurt Van Tiem, District Music Coordinator. "We are incredibly grateful to the Copernicus Cultural Foundation for this generous gift, which will help ensure that our students have access to quality instruments and resources. This investment will foster the growth of our music programs and support students in exploring and developing their musical talents."

The foundation’s representatives were impressed by Kurt’s dedication and the strong connections he has built across the district’s music departments. The Copernicus Cultural Foundation is enthusiastic about the impact this contribution will have on expanding the art of music within the Stevens Point Area Public School District.

Chrismary Pacyna, President of the Copernicus Cultural Foundation, shared her thoughts on the donation: "The Copernicus Cultural Foundation was established in 1959 by Edmund and Kathryn Bukolt. Edmund was a longtime businessman in Stevens Point who had a strong interest in music, education, and performance. This donation to your Music Programs fulfills one of the goals of the Copernicus Foundation. It is our pleasure to provide opportunities and the means for students to advance their music knowledge, appreciation, and performance."