At the start of this, our 26th Season, I want to take a moment to single out a few very special people - YOU - our loyal patrons, volunteers, and donors. Thank you for supporting the Fine Arts Center. We simply couldn’t do what we do without you.

As you may have read, Campaign UMass finished a year ahead of schedule in December. It went some $5 million over the original $125 million goal. In doing our part for the campaign, I am happy to report we set an all-time record for the Fine Arts Center this past season, with gifts and grants exceeding $820,000. Friends’ contributions to our Annual Fund alone increased by 35%, while New WORLD Theater raised one-half million dollars for its visionary programming. And with your generosity, we have surpassed the first-phase goal of $250,000 for the Frederick C. Tillis Endowment for the Arts, which underwrites performances and exhibitions.

Even as we celebrate all these accomplishments, we are launching our campaign for the 2001-02 season. I hope you will join us in generously supporting the Fine Arts Center. Each year, we must raise approximately 30% of programming costs just to maintain the level and quality of current programs. Your gift really makes a difference.

Our volunteers made a huge difference at the Fine Arts Center this past season as well, contributing their time and talent in dozens of ways. Volunteers ushered at performances, planned the Gala and the Arts and Sciences series, served on advisory committees, and helped with fund drives.

This month, William S. Hogan, Jr., President and CEO of Easthampton Savings Bank, begins a term as chair of the Friends Board of Directors, and Donald Gasiorowski of Holyoke will serve as vice chair. We are also welcoming two new members to the board - Sean Moloney, a UMass alum and Executive Producer at HealthCommunities.com, and BillBob Brown, Professor of Dance at UMass and new chair of the University Advisory Board.

We are in the final stages of strategic planning, a process that has literally involved hundreds of patrons and staff. Several task forces have been formed to develop plans for our key priorities: programming criteria, facilities assessment, organizational structure, market research, brand identity, education and outreach, funding potential and university relations. Our mission to actively engage you, our audiences, in the arts guides us.

In this issue of Spotlight, you'll see that our five performance series and four galleries are filled with spectacular events from around the globe. Take a moment to look inside, and you'll see why I’m so excited about the upcoming season.

I look forward to seeing each of you during the months ahead and hope you continue to enjoy all your associations with the Fine Arts Center.

Best regards,

Director