A Broader Context for the Arts
A Broader Context for the ArtsBy, BOB PULLO, SUSAN A. BARRY and JOANNE RILEY From the York Daily RecordArticle Last Updated: 10/21/2007 02:49:29 AM EDT Oct 21, 2007 — Robert Redford, highly acclaimed actor and director, said, “When you stop and think about innovation and stop and think about things that create new ideas that could lead to new industries and new jobs, it's usually the creative that starts it . . . Art should be put in a broader context.” That is what ArtForever is all about. With annual giving to nonprofit arts and cultural causes experiencing a national decline in recent years, ArtForever: An Endowment Initiative for the Arts, comes at a critical time in the life of York County and our community. This funding model, which focuses on long-term sustainability for our cultural organizations, has already received national recognition and is being successfully emulated in different communities across the country. The brainchild of The Cultural Alliance of York County and York County Community Foundation, and led by artist and philanthropist Bob Pullo, ArtForever is a five-year effort designed to garner $10 million in endowment commitments for the Cultural Alliance and its nine nonprofit member agencies: Greater York Center for Dance Education, York Symphony Orchestra, York Little Theatre, York County Heritage Trust, York Arts, York Art Association, Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, York Junior Symphony and York Youth Symphony Orchestra. York countians believe in this broader context for the arts. After just two years into this five-year effort, the community has generously committed nearly $6 million to endowment. The people of York treasure the arts and are willing to demonstrate this through financial commitment - today and through future gifts that will continue giving forever. We appreciate that the arts play a crucial role in casting the quality of life in our community. We understand that exposure to the arts in a significant and consistent fashion contributes to educational achievement for our children. We see the arts as a successful industry in itself, contributing to jobs, civic pride, as well as social comfort and cohesiveness. We know that the arts promote tourism. We value the arts as a motivating force enabling people to gain practical skills such as team building and problem solving, leading to meaningful employment. Moreover, the arts entertain, educate and stimulate us. They enable us to experience a spectrum of feelings and emotions that nothing else comes close to. They put us in touch with ourselves and the world around us. Funding the broader context for the arts today . . . for generations to come. That is what ArtForever: An Endowment Initiative for the Arts is all about. Think innovation . . . think education . . . think jobs . . . think community. You can make a difference. We urge you to support the arts through your endowment gifts - now and in the future. Bob Pullo is chair of ArtForever, Susan Barry is president of the York County Community Foundation and Joanne Riley is executive director of the Cultural Alliance of York County.
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