[Robotgroup] FW: Message from Ann S. Graham

[Denise Scioli]

>From: "Susan Gibson" <suegibson at msn.com>
>To: <morg80 at hotmail.com>
>Subject: Message from Ann S. Graham
>Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2006 12:43:39 -0500
>
>Dear Artists:
>
>
>
>Thank you for your kind responses to the email I forwarded on August 23rd
>announcing my resignation from First Night Austin.
>
>
>
>I think none of you will doubt that I came to this decision with great
>difficulty.  At the time of my resignation, staff had been furloughed
>without pay as funding to date was less than 50% of the budget approved for
>this year¹s event.  With the shortage of funding, I agreed to explore
>alternatives such as shortening the event, reducing the number of artists 
>or
>further reducing artist budgets.  In the end I decided that such 
>compromises
>would compromise the integrity of the event and jeopardize the trust that 
>we
>have been building within the arts community, including our commitment to
>“pay artists to be artists”.
>
>
>
>It was clear that the Board and the President, Emeritus and I had
>differences in the overall vision for the event and my role as Executive
>Director, which included a directive for me to not be involved in
>fundraising efforts.
>
>
>
>I trust that you know my commitment to First Night and how I have
>whole-heartedly devoted my professional and personal life to this
>undertaking these past two years. I would like nothing more than to see 
>this
>event succeed in a manner that does not compromise the integrity of the
>event or the gift this event truly can be for the citizens of Austin.
>
>
>
>I thank everyone who played a role in making our inaugural event a most
>amazing celebration for the citizens of Austin and to those of you who took
>the time to submit your creative ideas for First Night Austin 2007. It is 
>my
>hope that the magical traditions begun at First Night will continue to
>enrich the spirit of our community.
>
>
>
>Kindest regards,
>
>
>
>Ann S. Graham
>
>anngraham at austin.rr.com
>
>
>
>
>