FUND
FOR THE ARTS LAUNCHES ARTSCARE INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT HURRICANE
RELIEF EFFORTS
Louisville,
KY The Fund for the Arts, in collaboration with
its member organizations, has launched a new initiative
called ArtsCare. The coordinated endeavor will include a
variety of city-wide activities that will support the local
relief efforts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The
most visible aspect of the ArtsCare initiative will be yellow
donation envelopes provided at most area arts performances,
events, and exhibitions to encourage patrons and donors
of the arts to contribute to Hurricane relief efforts. Continuing
through the end of October, 2005, all monies collected will
be donated to the local American Red Cross organization,
on behalf of arts patrons and organizations.
The
Fund for the Arts and its member groups came together shortly
after the first hurricane to discuss how we could express
our support and sympathy for the victims of Hurricane Katrina,
said Allan Cowen, President & CEO of the Fund for the
Arts. We are all aware that immediate attention must be
focused on those affected by the hurricane, however, we
feel confident that, based on feedback we have received
from Fund donors, that the arts in Louisville will continue
to be supported. It is important for all of us to realize
that the arts in our city are critical to bringing us together
in times of need.
Inlight
of the recent Gulf Coast devastation, the Fund for the
Arts briefly postponed its annual fund raising campaign
for approximately 3 weeks. The organization sent a letter
to its individual donors informing them of this postponement.
We received significant communication back from our donors
that said they fully intend to support hurricane relief
efforts, but they also wanted to maintain their support
of the arts, commented Allan Cowen.
Fund
for the Arts member organizations such as Walden Theatre,
the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft and the Louisville
Orchestra are also considering providing special arts programming
and/or scholarships for hurricane evacuees who have been
relocated to the Louisville area. The Fund for the Arts
will also continue to work with local officials and relief
organizations to provide arts leadership for other area
relief efforts.
For
more information about ArtsCare, please call the Fund for
the Arts administrative office at (502) 582-0100.
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