A Message From Our Executive Director Dear VCA friends and supporters, To say we have suddenly found ourselves living in an alternate reality is an understatement. Our country and the world are gripped with a crisis that unfolds more each day. So is our own community here on Vashon. Like so many non-profit organizations across our nation, we at VCA are embarking on a journey that is fraught with challenges, hard decisions, and uncertainty. At the same time, we see great possibilities, as we explore ways to engage our community with artistic experiences through new methods of connection – video programming, online offerings, and even virtual tours. We are also reaching out to serve our community, and offering what we have to share – tents for emergency services, acting as a distribution point—whatever is needed we want to help. Right now, we at VCA need your help, too. A New Vision for VCA At the start of this year, before we even knew what COVID19 meant, VCA embarked on an ambitious plan to realize the full breadth of our programming. We saw the potential. Our programs could reach new heights that would provide financial stability by increasing performing arts events, adding new visual art exhibits in our gallery, and expanding and deepening opportunities to re-engage with patrons and friends. The excitement was palpable. The momentum to carry forward with confidence and creativity and to embark on a plan of true sustainability was upon us. Then, almost overnight, we found ourselves in an entirely new world – closures, isolation, the threat of contagion. Daily changes in the news have caused VCA to pivot at a rapid rate. What we thought would be a two-week shutdown period turned to six weeks and now we are hearing that it could be several months. Our survival is in jeopardy. VCA is more than an organization or a business. VCA is a living community of shared interests and values that has existed for more than a half-century on this island – starting as a grassroots collective and growing into a world-class facility with a unique range of programming (Arts Education, Dance, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Artists in Schools) that few can match. The partnerships we have built and the services we provide to many other non-profits and community organizations give them a home to present their work, hold their events, and utilize our campus and wetlands. We are not just at the center of the island, but in so many ways we ARE the center of the island – for arts, for education, for community. Imminent and Critical Decisions are Upon Us For the past several weeks, I have watched our staff struggle with the uncertainty of our postponed programs (Will we offer Spring classes in Arts Education if the schools are still closed? Will there be a First Friday Gallery Walk in April? What about our annual Garden Tour?) and the implications for their livelihoods, their families, children and aging parents. And now, with the reality of most businesses shutting down and no end in sight to when this mandate will lift, I face the real task of furloughing staff and closing our doors for an unpredictable length of time. The Road Ahead The truth is that our financial health cannot withstand the losses of staying closed and keeping our entire staff on payroll. I have been as transparent as possible with our staff and they are aware that these decisions are happening rapidly – they see it in Seattle where colleagues and arts organizations have already begun the painful and necessary task of “going dark” and massive lay-offs in an effort to stave off a catastrophic outcome. A Call to Action Everyone is being called to support organizations far and wide during this time. We are no different. We are calling on you, our friends and family, who value the arts to help us keep going during a time of great uncertainty. With your support, we can get back on track with our exciting new plans when our doors re-open and keep the arts at the center of life in our community here on Vashon. From what we know so far, VCA could likely remain closed through June—and possibly longer. In that event, our spring Arts Education and Dance programs would simply not happen. All events would be postponed and rescheduled. Our lobby and classrooms would be empty. When the word comes that we can re-open, we will work as quickly as we can to ramp back up so that we can come together again. That can only happen if we have the support needed to carry us through the months ahead. Please consider making a gift right now. Opportunities Emerge We are not standing still—as the great Greek physician Hippocrates said, life may be short but art endures. If you cannot come to us, we will come to you. VCA is working to keep the arts in your thoughts and to provide some “art therapy” in the form of a video library to share with you many of our past programs while you practice “social distancing.” It may not feel the same as being in the Kay White Hall, but we want to remind you of the richness of programming we have offered and to celebrate the extraordinary artists that live and work amongst us. You can expect to see communications in the coming days with an invitation to view this wonderful content. We are also in the midst of setting up an online Art Gallery to showcase the current exhibit in our space and provide an opportunity to sell artists’ work. If all goes well, we will expand this in the coming weeks to include more artists who might not have the means to create an online platform of their own. We are also looking to raise immediate ticket revenue for our events in the Kay White Hall by offering Ticket Passes that can be used for any VCA produced performance as soon as we re-open. This is one way that YOU can support us through this challenging time and provide us with a built-in audience when we open our doors again. VCA Resilience Fund - 4 Ticket Pass - $99 VCA Resilience Fund - 10 Ticket Pass - $179 VCA Resilience Fund - Unlimited Ticket Pass - $1000 If tickets or classes you have paid for have been postponed, you will be contacted by our front of house staff in the days ahead. I want to remind everyone that we are offering the following options:
Our Resilient Heart I cannot close this letter without stating how grateful I am for the staff at VCA. They are resilient. Their love of VCA rises to the top even as their own futures remain unclear. This crisis has also brought our board of trustees to rally around us, giving their time and talent to support us and show their dedication to the arts. They believe so strongly in VCA. In fact, our board trustees have already committed overwhelmingly to support our emergency fundraising effort – VCA Resilience Fund. I believe we can and will make our way through this new landscape. We know that art endures. Our beautiful center for the arts will survive because of our commitment to the arts and to you. It has to. We all need art in our lives to be truly healthy human beings. Creative people don't stop being creative in tough times--because art is a solace, an outlet, and a connection to one another. Please join me in sending a message to the world that NOW more than ever, we must support the arts. Stay well and be safe, Allison Halstead Reid Please consider making a gift right now. Thank you for your support. |