Letters

Our success in fund raising allowed us to produce exhibits that would not have otherwise been seen by the community, including a stunning enamel exhibit featuring international artists, and shows featuring nationally and internally recognized artists and artist teams. Patty Haberman, the curator at the time, is to be commended or her vision and ability to take the center to a new level with these exhibitions. We were also able to expand the 15-year-strong artist in residence program in partnership with the Tempe Elementary School District, offer humanities lectures in conjunction with exhibits, upgrade the computer system and increase staff salaries.

We were able to achieve this kind of success with support from the City of Tempe and with dollars generated by the board, art auction, gift shop and membership. The center was not hugely successful as an organization if you measure success by the ability to make a lot of money, but we made enough to support and increase the programming. We measured our success by the quality of what we offered to the community and how the community benefited and responded. Every nonprofit is responsible for achieving some level of self-sufficiency, but according to a telephone survey we conducted with several nonprofit arts organizations in the Valley, both large and small, the center received an average amount of revenue from government sources.

The staff and I worked very hard and made many sacrifices with our personal time so that we could offer something unique to Tempe and the state. We brought national and international recognition to the Tempe and Arizona, and I hope that efforts such as these will be recognized and rewarded so that a variety of arts organizations can make or keep their home here.

Vicki Stouffer
Executive Director
Business Volunteers for the Arts
Phoenix