Letter From Our Director
Hi Arts At The Palace Community,
It is a privilege to be writing to you this morning as the recently appointed Executive Director of Arts At The Palace. This past week we launched our 2022 Annual Appeal and announced our goal is to raise $15,000 by March 31st.
My purpose in writing to you this morning is to connect and communicate the impact we hope to have in the coming year and beyond. First though, a bit of backstory.
When I interviewed with our Board of Directors I told them my foremost priority would be to clarify the IDENTITY and VALUES of our organization. The Palace has had a number of past identities – night club, bar, theater, community center, jazz club, music venue… just to name a few. My belief is that in order to thrive, we must define our purpose within the community and create programs to that end.
In February, ten of our Board Members and I gathered on our stage and I asked them to imagine their most formative “arts” experiences. I then asked them to remember a production, event, or creative expression that was formative to who they are as a person. It was a loaded question that got to the heart of WHY we value the arts.
For Reed, our Colgate student Board Member, it was the memory of being the lead in high school productions and the sense of confidence that gave him. For Angela, it was a childhood memory of her aunt playing the accordion and inspiring joy in the hearts of her Columbian friends and siblings growing up. For another, it was a powerful feeling of belonging and hope they found within a theater troupe. For me, it was the enduring friendships and spiritual connection created through songwriting and music.
The unifying thread through all these formative experiences was the power of the arts to CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS and the unparalleled ability of the arts as a platform for SELF EXPRESSION and PERSONAL GROWTH.
In addition to the personal benefits of the arts, we also identified the role of the arts as a tool for COMMUNAL RESTORATION and SOCIAL ADVOCACY. We value artistic expression as a resource to be leveraged for the enrichment of our community as a whole.
Lastly, everyone shared a SIMPLE SENSE OF JOY – to be together, to laugh, tell stories, and to have a common experience. To be known. Our individual passion for the arts was a segue to sharing our lives.
It was a meaningful and unifying time.
My hope in sharing this story is that you will come to understand what the future will look like here at The Palace. From a programming perspective, we will continue to present shows and plays, we will continue to offer music lessons and dance workshops, and we will continue to open our doors to the inspiring creators who share their creative gifts.
On another level, we will focus on providing opportunities to connect, to support “creatives” of every age to grow in their artistic endeavors, and to use the arts to bind our region together.
A worthy endeavor, if I had to choose.
If you share these values, I’d ask you to give and give generously.
First, give of your time. Show up to a workshop that is outside your comfort zone. Show up to a show you’ve never heard of. Show up for a friend who is sharing for the first time. Show up as a volunteer who wants to offer their skills to the next generation of creators.
Second, I’d ask you to give financially. If last year you gave $50 – I’d ask you to give $75 or $100. If you’re excited about children’s programming, I’d encourage you to provide scholarships to this year’s summer theater camp. If you love music, I’d ask you to sponsor a show. If you can’t give a one-time amount, give a little bit each month and stay involved.
Without a solid base of individual financial contributors, we cannot sustain ourselves. In return, we will continue to focus on the mission at hand.
I truly believe that Arts At The Palace is building something special and, with your help, has the potential to create a truly exceptional arts organization here in Hamilton, NY.
Thank you for your time and please know that my office here at The Palace is always open to you. Please come by to dream, to ask questions, and to help envision a more creative future. I hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
Henry Howard
