Dear Editor,
I would like to take the opportunity to extend a thank you to Mayor Jim Brainard and the entire Carmel City Council for the extremely generous 2013 Arts Grants that were recently awarded to local arts organizations, including Actors Theatre of Indiana. While certainly appreciated by our organization, the annual awarding of a grant by the City of Carmel should never be expected or taken for granted. Many cities across the country are struggling in the current economic environment and any type of funding for arts organizations is usually the first item to be eliminated from a tight city budget. Thankfully, our city leaders have a shared love of the arts and they have the vision to see the value that arts organizations bring to a community such as Carmel. The awarding of these arts grants demonstrates a strong commitment.
The Carmel Arts Grant does not eliminate the need for Actors Theatre to be managed like a business. We need to continually search for grant opportunities and aggressively seek individual donations and corporate sponsorships. As any business owner will tell you, a strong balance sheet is critical for the long-term success and survival of any organization. The Carmel Arts Grant will help us grow, but it will not solve all of the financial issues that arts organizations are facing today. That responsibility is ours alone.
James A. Reilly
Executive Director, Actors Theatre of Indiana