New Bakus executive director urges building endowment, more performances and deeper community programming

Todd Ojel, introduced as Bakus' new executive director, summarized activity from 2025 and set out early priorities for the organization.

Ojel said the year was 'not just a year of keeping the doors open' but one of growth and community activity, listing about 83 rentals, more than 9,000 attendees at events and programs, 55 students taking music lessons and more than 200 volunteers supporting operations. He said those numbers illustrate Bakus’ role as a community hub and argued the board should prioritize building an endowment to ensure long-term stability.

"If Bakus is going to be here not just next year but 20 30 50 years from now we need to build that endowment seriously," Ojel said, urging the board to be more direct in asking for legacy gifts, memorial gifts and plan-based contributions. He also called for widening grant searches, pursuing new funding partners and expanding the venue's live-performance schedule — including more piano and smaller touring acts — to create a steadier rhythm of events.

Ojel closed by thanking outgoing executive director Lois L. London and staff and by urging members and donors to support the organization’s long-term funding goals.