The Overture Center set a strategic plan Thursday evening to broaden involvement in downtown Madison over the next few years.

Tom Carto, director of the Overture Center, presented a plan for the center to expand cultural diversity and community connection within the next three to five years.

�We are looking for those connections with the community that make sense to have the Overture Center a part of the events that are well-known and well-loved,� Carto said.

According to Carto�s presentation, the Overture Center, a multi-faceted structure supporting various artistic programs and performances, hosts nearly 1.5 million people annually and presents about 200 shows per year.

�For downtown residents, including students, we have a broad income base and diverse cultural base,� said Megan Christiansen, arts and culture subcommittee lead. �I think it is wonderful that this facility is right in our backyard and that it can become more accessible to the people that live here.�

The strategic plan Carto proposed includes creating a more inviting atmosphere and promoting image-building.

�We rescaled all of our programs to provide low-cost tickets for every program,� Carto said.

Carto added the Overture Center is also trying to attract student interest by offering free programs.

��Our festivals are a good outlet for UW students. There are a lot of opportunities for UW students to utilize the Overture Center without spending any money,� Carto said.

According to Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, the Center had previous issues regarding inaccessibility, but it is now a friendly, welcoming environment.

�I think it is a wonderful asset for not only the city of Madison, but also the students,� Judge said. �The Overture Center has been doing a very good job of doing outreach to the lower income and student population, and I think it is worth our time and worth our money.�

As students look to find other entertainment outlets, Carto said they should take advantage of all the Overture Center�s programs.

�I think you�ll find in our next season programming that there is a lot of opportunity for UW students to see more creative, more edgy, more alternative programming,� Carto said. �I think we�ll get a good response.�