Dear Sculpture Space Friends and Supporters,
Since our founding in 1976, Sculpture Space has fostered an environment of experimentation and creativity like few others in the world of contemporary sculpture, and certainly unlike any found in the Mohawk Valley. We see our artists arriving before dawn and working late into the night. Amazing art is created here each week, and seemingly impossible ideas are brought to life. For over 40 years, Sculpture Space has been aplace where hard work and determination are rewarded, where artists come together, and where ideas thrive.
We recently received notice from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) that they will not be funding Sculpture Space for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. While the NEA has supported us for many of our 40 years, we have become acutely aware that the national economic climate is undergoing re-evaluation and change. Nevertheless, as our financial planning is done at least a year in advance, this recent announcement is indeed a profound and serious blow to our budget and, perhaps, our future. This decision will certainly test Sculpture Space's endurance, as well as our ability to be flexible and responsive through the inevitable changes of time.
This news comes at a critical point for us. As we look to both the challenges and opportunities ahead, we know that with the concerted support of our own community we will be able to transition Sculpture Space back to self-sufficiency. We are excited by the new projects and partnerships we have in the works - projects such as expanded collaborations with national colleges, local installations of public art, inner city development through beautification of our own grounds, and more reasons to invite the community in to experience our own facilities.
If you know Sculpture Space, you know it has been pure determination, hard work, and flexibility that have served as the cornerstone of our program since inception. And through hundreds of artists, thousands of projects, and untold work hours it has been the generosity of our community that has kept us moving forward. Your involvement has helped create and shape the organization we are now, and that's why I am writing to you today.
Though global in nature, Sculpture Space needs its own community's help -- your help -- to continue our work here. It is just that simple. Operating a non-profit arts organization is challenging in most years, but sustaining through the sudden loss of critical funding will be impossible without immediate support. Please join me today and send what you can to help us keep the gates open as we work to define this new direction for our future.
Sculpture Space is very proud of what we have accomplished in our first 40 years and with your help, we are excited to see what the next 40 will have in store.
Thank you in advance for your faith and generosity.
Sculpture Space Inc is classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by the Internal Revenue Service. All donations ar tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.