Dear Readers,
With the holidays upon us and with the economy in a recession, I’ve been thinking a lot about values – about what I am most thankful for this year and what is most important to me – and really taking time this year to savor the spirit of the season.
For me, as is the case with many of you I imagine, art is one of those things that I am most thankful for and deeply value. I love the way art introduces me to new ideas, inspires new thoughts and feelings, and makes me feel connected with the world we live in and with my humanity in a way that no other experience does.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to view new footage of an artist featured in the upcoming season of Art:21-Art in the Twenty-First Century. I can’t tell you who it is (you’ll find out soon enough!), but I can tell you it was of an artist whose work I am passionate about. I remember the first time I saw his work. Wow! For months after seeing the exhibition I sought out everything that had been written on the artist, trawling the Internet for information, reviews, images, and videos.
Being able to see the artist working and talking about his work reconnected me with that “Wow!” moment and the “wanting to know more” that leads so many people each year to find Art21 on PBS and Netflix, through Internet searches, checking our books out at the library, and by attending local screenings. It is deeply gratifying to work at Art21 and to give others the opportunity to glimpse inside an artist’s studio and to hear artists talk about their work.
Because of your support over the past year, we have been able to create and distribute new online videos through our Art:21-Exclusive series (already one of the most popular visual arts podcasts on iTunes) as well as to launch a lively blog offering diverse writings on art, artists, communities, and timely issues. We’ve received many emails and letters asking for more videos and resources over the years, and it has been invigorating to be able to finally answer this call.
While we know it’s tough out there, we hope that those of you with the means will help make our future work possible with a 100% tax-deductible gift to the Art21 Annual Fund this season. Gifts to the Annual Fund will help us to realize many new projects in the works – enhanced resources for teachers and students, original videos, artist projects, and a new season of the television series premiering on PBS in Fall 2009.
We look forward to continuing to produce work that allows audiences worldwide to experience the “Wow!” of discovering contemporary art.
Thank you so much in advance for your continued support.
Cheers to a peaceful and happy season,
Beth Allen
Director of Development
