Director’s Letter

Dear Friends, This time last year, I was studying to be Tevye in CMU’s upcoming production of Fiddler on the Roof. This was a wonderful opportunity to work with the CMU students and faculty (as well as fellow community members). We enjoyed sold-out houses and appreciative audiences during our two-week run in late February. It was a magnifi cent experience. On March 5, Colorado experienced its fi rst case of Covid-19. It was a topic of conversation backstage, but was no means “a big deal.” Little did we know that weekend’s performances would be amongst the last performances of live theatre, live productions of any kind, for many months. Soon therea er, Governor Polis issued a state-wide stay-at-home order, and live theatre was put on indefi nite hold. Live performance of all kinds – theatre, dance, concerts – and the people who create it have all suff ered tremendously. The Art Center had begun reintroducing live performing arts to our regular off erings; those were put on hold. Online options, such as the production of Art, by Yasmina Reza, was produced as a fundraiser for The Art Center by professors in CMU’s theatre department. Live, in-person performing arts, at least to packed houses, may not reemerge for quite some time. Many art galleries have closed, possibly for good, and art museums and art centers across the country are facing the same fate. In July, NPR reported that a third of museums may not survive the year. That includes art museums. To say that the arts and the people who depend of the arts for their survival are facing dire straits is an understatement. This should be a concern for not just art lovers, but for our community at large. The arts do more than feed the soul of each and every one of us. The arts are an economic driver, a very large economic driver, especially here in the Grand Valley. Fortunately, your Art Center has, so far, weathered this storm far better than many other arts organizations. Tremendously generous support om our members and fi nancial donors, along with innovative thinking by Art Center staff , volunteers, and The Art Center Board of Trustees has helped us maintain a fairly stable fi nancial position. But, as the pandemic wears on, the need for fi nancial support becomes more and more urgent. We will continue to fi nd new ways to meet the mission of improving quality of life through the arts, hopefully with new revenue streams as well. However, we can’t do it alone; we need your help. I know that many agencies are asking for your help this year. Those agencies have missions that are tremendously important. The arts, and The Art Center, your Art Center, are also tremendously important. The arts are refl ections of our souls, not an a erthought. Although many supporters are not able to help as much as they would like, others are fortunate enough to be in a strong fi nancial position, even during the pandemic. So, if you have the means, please help your Art Center with a generous donation. Thank you to all of The Art Center’s supporters, iends and family, for your continued support over the years. We don’t take your support for granted, and we appreciate every dollar. And believe me, even a dollar helps. I will now use what is possibly the most overused phrase of 2020 - “Now more than ever,” your support is vital. Don’t let the arts be an a erthought.