NBJ PR Wire

LIBERACE FOUNDATION AWARDS NEARLY $200,000 IN STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS IN MUSIC, DANCE & CREATIVE ARTS

Release Date: October 22, 2007

Contact: Shelley Mansholt PR

The Liberace Foundation has awarded approximately $200,000 in scholarships to students studying music, theatre, dance and the creative arts at 22 universities, colleges and organizations throughout the U.S. Some of the scholarship recipients include the Nevada Ballet Theatre, the Indiana University School of Music, the Columbus College of Art & Design Fashion Design Department in Columbus, Ohio, and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md.

Since its inception in 1976, the Liberace Foundation has awarded in excess of $5 million in scholarships and touched the lives of more than 2,200 students at over 100 colleges and universities. Annually, universities, colleges and arts organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in the areas of music, theatre, dance, and the visual arts are encouraged to apply for a Liberace Foundation Scholarship. The student award recipients are deemed "Liberace Scholars" for the year, and are encouraged by the Liberace Foundation to capitalize on the scholarship opportunity to grow and strengthen their own amazing talents.

"We are proud to continue to share the generosity and legacy of Liberace by way of these scholarships that perpetuate his mission of assisting talented students to pursue careers in the performing and creative arts," states R. Darin Hollingsworth, Liberace Foundation Executive Director. "Liberace considered his Foundation one of his greatest achievements, and this year's Liberace Scholars are presented this opportunity to garner their own 'Showmanship' that Liberace so proudly shared with the world during his 47 years of performing to millions."

Liberace, born Walter Valentino Liberace in Wisconsin, himself was a scholarship recipient from renowned Polish pianist Paderewski at the Wisconsin School of Music. Music was the heart of the Liberace family, as his Italian father played the French horn and was a member of the Milwaukee Philharmonic Orchestra, his Mother played the piano, and two of his siblings were musically talented as well.

In his book entitled The Things I Love, Liberace stated, "a lot of good things have happened to me in show business, and I want to do what I can to give others just starting out a career boost. I hope The Foundation projects will continue into the future to offer gifted newcomers financial help, and in many cases, artistic exposure as well."
Liberace's legend lives on in the Liberace Museum, located less than 10 minutes from the famous Las Vegas Strip, which he opened in 1976 to share his collections with the world and to support his love of being an active patron of the arts.

The Liberace Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is supported by private donations from individuals, corporations, individual Liberace fans, fan clubs, and admirers globally. The Liberace Museum is also a significant funding source for the Foundation. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. For more information or to become a supporter of the Liberace Foundation, call (702) 798-5595, or visit the website at www.liberace.org.

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ABOUT THE LIBERACE FOUNDATION & MUSEUM:
www.liberace.org Liberace transported audiences to a dazzling world of color, jovial music, glittering costumes and humor. His legend lives on in the Liberace Museum, considered to be Mr. Showmanship's greatest encore performance. Liberace opened his Museum in 1979 to share his collections with the world and to support his love of being an active patron of the arts, and most importantly to support his mission of helping talented students pursue careers in the performing and creative arts through scholarship assistance. To date, the Liberace Foundation has awarded in excess of $5 million in scholarships to almost 2,500 students at over 110 colleges and universities throughout the U.S.

The Liberace Museum serves as a significant funding source for the Liberace Foundation. It features Liberace's collections of rare and antique pianos, classic cars, famous sequined and bejeweled costume wardrobe, glittering stage jewelry and rare antiques, as well as Liberace's private papers and memorabilia. The Museum is located at 1775 E. Tropicana Avenue in Las Vegas and open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $12.50 for adults and $8.50 for seniors age 65 and older, and students with valid ID. Museum and Foundation members and children ages 10 and under are free. Nevada residents receive free admission the second Sunday of each month. The Museum also presents a "A Musical Tribute to Liberace: On The With Show" starring Wes Winters (www.weswinters.com) every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at 1:00 p.m., and admission price is $17.50 per person. For more information and to become a member of the Liberace Foundation, call 702.798.5595 or visit the website at www.liberace.org.

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