Ars Nova is one of my absolute favorite spaces in NYC (it's where I premiered my solo show Brown Ambition), and it looks like the recession has hit them along with the rest of us! Here's a brief note I received from Artistic Director Jason Eagan about their current fundraising tactic:
Dear Ars Nova artists and friends,
I hope this finds all of you well and having a great 2009 so far. It’s been a whirlwind of a year here already, with the success of our Play Group show, Playlist, as well as a whole slew of series nights already under our belts. As you know from experience, this place is never quiet. In fact, we’re happiest when it’s packed to the rafters with all of you doing what you do best! Along with lots of great new programming, 2009 has also arrived with a daunting new economic landscape for arts organizations all over the city.
Like everyone, we’re tightening our belts, putting down the Pirate’s Booty and trying to get creative about ways to fill the coffers. A huge part of that is putting on great shows people want to come see, so thank you for making that possible! But we’re also still committed to keeping our tickets super cheap and our drinks super strong. Ticket sales alone aren’t going to cut it. So, in the spirit of triumphant grass-roots movements everywhere, we’re launching a new campaign in our fundraising efforts called Ars Nova for America.
Dear Ars Nova artists and friends,
I hope this finds all of you well and having a great 2009 so far. It’s been a whirlwind of a year here already, with the success of our Play Group show, Playlist, as well as a whole slew of series nights already under our belts. As you know from experience, this place is never quiet. In fact, we’re happiest when it’s packed to the rafters with all of you doing what you do best! Along with lots of great new programming, 2009 has also arrived with a daunting new economic landscape for arts organizations all over the city.
Like everyone, we’re tightening our belts, putting down the Pirate’s Booty and trying to get creative about ways to fill the coffers. A huge part of that is putting on great shows people want to come see, so thank you for making that possible! But we’re also still committed to keeping our tickets super cheap and our drinks super strong. Ticket sales alone aren’t going to cut it. So, in the spirit of triumphant grass-roots movements everywhere, we’re launching a new campaign in our fundraising efforts called Ars Nova for America.
Click for more info and to donate.
For an organization our size, small donations make a huge difference, so we’ve set out to secure donations of under $100 from as many people as possible. That literally means we’re hoping for gifts of five or ten bucks—the more of them we can get, the better our chances of showing the bigger funding organizations how many people believe in what we do! So we’re coming to you, our artists and friends, to help us kick this off. You’re our best possible advocates, because you know first hand what Ars Nova is all about. If you have friends, coworkers, family members or people who believe in the importance of supporting emerging artists and owe you favors, please forward the link below to them and ask them to pitch in. We welcome donations of any size at all—seriously, it will make a big difference.
Sincerely,
Jason
For an organization our size, small donations make a huge difference, so we’ve set out to secure donations of under $100 from as many people as possible. That literally means we’re hoping for gifts of five or ten bucks—the more of them we can get, the better our chances of showing the bigger funding organizations how many people believe in what we do! So we’re coming to you, our artists and friends, to help us kick this off. You’re our best possible advocates, because you know first hand what Ars Nova is all about. If you have friends, coworkers, family members or people who believe in the importance of supporting emerging artists and owe you favors, please forward the link below to them and ask them to pitch in. We welcome donations of any size at all—seriously, it will make a big difference.
Sincerely,
Jason
***
It's like Obama, guys! We can do it. Yes We Can!
Me, in action, with Shockwave at beautiful Ars Nova. Photos by Anya Garrett.
