AN OPEN LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY
BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL

Many of you are familiar with the work of the Arts Council. What you may not know is that we are kicking off the First Annual Membership Drive.

The previous successful United Fund Drive, which you may have participated in, will now be replaced by memberships. You may ask yourself, why memberships?

Membership drives are the reality check for most organizations. The members are community folks, like you, who want to support the mission of the Arts Council.

Most members do not become members for the “benefits” it may offer, such as a coffee cup or t-shirt. They are giving money because they want the results that only the Arts Council can produce.

Selling memberships is the only form of fundraising that gives incentive for growth from a financial standpoint, as well as volunteerism and community awareness. Members are an integral part of many grassroots organizations. Members reinforce credibility with the community and participants, as well as with tourists, funding sources, and grantees.

Members provide expertise, being the “eyes and ears” of the organization. Members are the outreach and validation of the organization. Despite the ability of communications technology to spread information, word-of-mouth endorsements are still the most powerful. Volunteers are an invaluable source of person-power to help us do our work in the community. Members influence financial stability. Individual giving is the largest source of support of nonprofits.

We all get solicited for a great many worthy causes, and everyone must set their priorities. We are so grateful that the Arts Council is at the top of your priority list.

And here are a few more reasons why you can get excited about becoming a founding member. Your membership will help support Arts-in-Education, Artist in the Schools Grants, Grassroots Arts Programs, The Urban Trail, Regional Artist Project Grants, Artist Support Services, Artists Residencies in the schools, Kids Tix Program and Teacher mini-grants.

The list continues. There is the exhibition hall downtown, professional development/artist seminar series, HeARTbeat Newsletter, AAAC Website, expansion of staff and services, Arts Alive Festival (month of September), Online and Live Art Auction (Fall 2005) and “The Ball” (Summer 2006). These are just a few programs your membership will support.

The arts are a powerful economic engine and a positive community force. We must keep the arts growing, and here is how you can join. There are various levels of membership for you to choose from. Each level has various benefits that will increase year to year.

Many of you will be receiving your membership form in the mail in the next few weeks. You may also choose to fill out the membership form on page 7 of the Fall 2005 issue of HeARTbeat, or watch for the membership form online.

You will receive your Membership Card and benefits by mail. The Asheville Area Arts Council 2005-2006 Membership Drive will run from September 30, 2005 - October 1, 2006.

The drive could not have happened without the support of Jami Daniels and Mark Goldberg, AAAC Membership Committee. And we would like to thank our partners for the 2005 –2006 Membership Drive: The Orange Peel Social Aid & Pleasure Club, The Fine Arts Theatre, 1250 design, and Mail-Man Mail Management Services.

This is an exciting time for the Asheville Area Arts Council, and your participation will contribute to our future success.   

Sincerely,
Karen Kowalski
Development Director

For further details about membership and sponsorship opportunities, call Karen Kowalski at the Arts Council at 828-258-0710 x105, or email: karenkowalski@ashevillearts.com.

www.ashevillearts.com

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