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A Few Words From Debbie – February 2014

From the Desk of the Executive Director

Today is the day to start adding my voice to our monthly newsletter. I can’t believe that it has already been three months since I joined this remarkable organization! Wow! Time sure has flown by as I learn the intricate details of our programs and services, reconnect with old friends and meet new ones! Having been affiliated for many years with a statewide arts/cultural service organization that developed extraordinary resources for arts and cultural leaders, it is an absolute joy to be working in a similar capacity serving the tri-county region. I’m still getting my feet wet, but in due course, I’ll be fully immersed, and I’m already brainstorming about new and exciting adventures for our members and constituents.

But even with only a few months under my belt, I can honestly say that the Arts Council of Greater Lansing has established a strong and viable foundation over our almost 50-year history.  My role will be to take us into new territory and position us for our next 50 years––to educate, celebrate, advocate and collaborate––all things that are near and dear to my soul. We want to be an extraordinary service organization at the forefront of trends and issues that affect artists, arts leaders, and our community at large. We are well positioned already, but now is the time to take the next steps in our history.

With that being said, it is with great enthusiasm and anticipation that the Arts Council board of directors and staff begin the pre-planning and planning process. Over the next several weeks, we will focus our energies and thoughts into all that this organization can accomplish in the years ahead. The pre-planning will include gathering data and asking a lot of questions, and that’s where you come in. Our board wants to hear from our members and the community we serve––they want to know what you want us to accomplish. We all have opinions about what the Arts Council can and should be providing, and we want to hear yours.

To elicit your ideas and feedback, we will be sending you an email survey sometime next week. We hope you will take a few minutes out of your busy schedules to tell us what you see as the Arts Council’s greatest strengths and greatest challenges. Tell us what makes you proud to be affiliated with this organization and what you would change as we continue to convene and facilitate a thriving, dynamic and well-respected arts community here in the Capital region.

Your opinions are very important to us, and we look forward to your help in bringing focus and clarity to our future.

 

Deborah E. Mikula
Executive Director