“We’re excited by the opportunity to create spaces that make it possible for more people to access arts education, engage in creative experiences and connect with one another in meaningful ways.”
– Leigh Ann Stradford,
Sr. Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at B. Braun and ArtsQuest Board Member
For decades, ArtsQuest and B. Braun Medical, Inc. have shared a partnership built on community, creativity and connection. From supporting Musikfest to investing in transformative community spaces like the Banana Factory and the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks, B. Braun has helped shape arts and culture experiences in the Lehigh Valley.
Today, that partnership continues through ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign, an initiative designed to expand access to the arts and create inspiring new opportunities for generations to come.
For B. Braun, the campaign represented more than a capital investment – it is an investment in people, community and the future of the region.
“Since moving to the Lehigh Valley in 2023, what immediately stood out to me about Musikfest is the pride the community has in the festival and the way it brings people together across generations and backgrounds,” said Leigh Ann Stradford, Sr. Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at B. Braun and ArtsQuest Board Member. “You can feel how deeply rooted it is in Bethlehem and how it has grown into a defining cultural experience for the region.”
That sense of connection and accessibility is what has kept the partnership meaningful for so many years. As a longtime sponsor of Musikfest and presenting sponsor of the Levitt Golf Tournament for more than a decade, B. Braun has continued to support initiatives that align closely with its commitment to community engagement and wellbeing.
“The Levitt Golf Tournament brings together business leaders, supporters of the arts and community partners around a shared purpose,” Stradford said. “For our team, it is a hands-on way to engage with the community and reinforce that our support goes beyond sponsorship.”
Over the years, ArtsQuest has evolved into one of the region’s leading nonprofit organizations, expanding its programming and deepening its impact while remaining committed to its mission of providing access to the arts for all. For B. Braun, that continued growth is exactly why the organization remains an important community partner.
“These spaces serve as creative anchors for the community,” Stradford explained, referring to investments in spaces like the Banana Factory and the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks. “By investing in places like these, B. Braun is supporting environments that make art, education and cultural exchange accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.”
That vision for accessibility and community impact is also what inspired B. Braun to support the Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign.
“The campaign aligns closely with our commitment to expanding access to the arts and investing in the future of the Lehigh Valley. Supporting the campaign allows us to help create spaces that foster creativity, learning and collaboration for artists, students and community members.”
With the B. Braun Gallery & Lounge Inspiring Multicultural Knowledge & Learning on the 4th floor of the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL, B. Braun’s dedication to enhancing educational and multicultural initiatives that strengthen and enrich the region is reflected in a space intentionally designed to inspire creativity, collaboration and cultural exchange.
The space will serve as a collaborative workspace and creative hub for Studio Artists and Artists-in-Residence, as well as a convening location for school groups, First Friday visitors and community partners. Designed to foster creativity, the space will host rotating exhibitions curated by artists and community stakeholders, providing opportunities for broader participation and engagement.
Through the campaign, ArtsQuest aims to create more inclusive and flexible spaces designed to serve a wide range of community needs – from arts education and hands-on creative experiences to opportunities for collaboration and connection.
For B. Braun, the long-term impact of those investments is what makes the campaign especially exciting.
“We’re excited by the opportunity to create spaces that make it possible for more people to access arts education, engage in creative experiences and connect with one another in meaningful ways,” Stradford said.
Beyond the buildings themselves, B. Braun says the most rewarding part of its partnership with ArtsQuest has been seeing the direct impact on both employees and the broader community.
“Whether through volunteering at Musikfest, supporting educational programs or investing in permanent creative spaces, we can see how ArtsQuest brings people together,” said Stradford. “Being part of that impact and watching the partnership grow over time has made this relationship truly meaningful for B. Braun.”
As the Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign continues, partnerships like B. Braun’s help ensure that ArtsQuest can continue creating spaces where creativity thrives, connections grow and the community comes together for years to come.