The Chicago Academy for the Arts held its "Inspire: Red Carpet Gala" on April 1 at Chicago's Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel.
The event, according to an email from school head Jason Patera, raised more than $400,000 and reached the fundraising goal of the Justin Tranter Million Dollar Challenge.
Returning to the school that they said saved their life years ago and set them on a path to becoming one of the most celebrated activists and songwriters of the modern era, it was announced Feb. 10 that Tranter, a prominent queer musician/songwriter/activist, donated more than half a million dollars to their alma mater.
"Not only did this school make me the artist and songwriter I am today but it saved my life in more ways than I can count," said Tranter, the former Semi Precious Weapons lead singer who graduated from the academy's Musical Theatre Program in 1998, according to a press release. "Nothing makes me prouder than to be able to support a place that educates brilliant young creatives and more importantly, gives them a foundation of compassion, community and confidence."
Images of "Inspire" courtesy of Michele Marie Photography
Andrew Davis