November 2009

Dear Friends,
The economic climate for arts funding during this past year has been described as a “perfect storm” and the Arts Council of Princeton is a compelling case study. We opened our beautiful Michael Graves designed Paul Robeson Center of the Arts just a few short months before the markets crashed last year. Since that time, we have addressed the paired perils of increased operating expenses in our new facility and across the board decrease in funding, by managing a very strict 10% budget reduction and difficult adjustments in staffing.

Our mission to build community through the arts has remained steadfast throughout this turmoil. Spurred in part by excitement about our new facility, we saw an increase in membership and participation unprecedented in the forty-two year history of our organization. In recognition of the outstanding quality of our programs, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts awarded us a Citation of Excellence and designated the Arts Council as a Major Service Organization.

The commanding presence of our gleaming new building in downtown Princeton affirms the importance of the arts in the center of our community’s life. Now, we must receive community support to maintain the high quality of our programs and our facility. We also must raise additional funds to support our free arts education programs for at-risk youth and others in our community. If there ever was an “all hands on deck” moment, this is it. Please be generous in making a tax deductible year-end contribution to the Arts Council. Your donation works towards keeping our education, exhibition, performing arts and community programs affordable and accessible to everyone.

Thank you very much in advance for you support.

Best regards,
Timothy M. Andrews, President, Board of Trustees
Jeff Nathanson, Executive Director