patron, benefactor, friend

Philanthropist James “Jim” M. Collier was laser-focused on supporting and promoting the performing arts in Jackson County

Over the years, Collier’s patronage helped support a variety of dance and theatrical performing groups as well as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Craterian Theater at The Collier Center for the Performing Arts in Medford, and Camelot Theatre in Talent, which also bears his name. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s ticket sales center is called the James M. Collier Box Office to recognize his decades-long support and attendance.

Mr. Collier was sometimes called “The Piano Man” after donating three concert grand and four upright pianos to various organizations in the Rogue Valley. He was laser-focused on local philanthropy, contributing to several area organizations with generous donations - as long as the cause involved the arts.

Besides supporting the arts in the Rogue Valley, Mr. Collier, a longtime resident of the Rogue Valley Manor, sponsored orchestras and opera companies in his hometown of Des Moines, Iowa, as well as in Bakersfield, California. This helped garner a nomination as Outstanding Individual Philanthropist of Central Iowa in 2006.

Prior to Mr. Collier’s death in 2023, at the age of 85, he contributed considerable funds to the Rogue Valley Symphonic Band to use for our Youth Program Initiatives. We have been able to use this gracious gift on several youth-oriented programs including the annual James M. Collier Young Artist Competition and the annual Middle School Initiative. RVSB is strives to add additional youth-oriented programming to our seasons’ concert cycles and interim breaks. Click HERE for more information on our current programs.