The Metropolitan Opera Guild was established in 1935 as an association to support America's national opera company and help insure its survival. Today the Guild is stronger and more active than ever in pursuing their mission to encourage the appreciation of opera generally, and to support the Metropolitan Opera financially through membership dues. Through its many activities, The Guild provides programs and services designed to further these goals. These programs include an innovative network of music and arts education programs to over 1,400 schools and communities worldwide through The Guild's Education Department; OPERA NEWS, a monthly magazine published by the Guild and reporting on opera around the world; a Members' Travel Program, providing custom-designed tours to the opera capitals of the world; and numerous other special events to raise proceeds in support the Guild's education programs.