Dear Friends,
I love this time of year. After the exuberance of summer and the vibrant colors of fall, I’m thankful for the days growing shorter. The nights longer. Temperatures falling. Silhouettes of bare branches against a leaden sky promising snow. All of nature winding down. Encouraging quiet. Reflection. Introspection.
Looking back over the year, I’m thankful for a lot of things. Yes, I started my new job as CEO just as the Covid crisis hit. Yes, my first official act was to close the museum for four months. And yes, that hit our bottom line hard – museum attendance is down 70% this year, which is about the same for museums across the country.
What makes me thankful is you. RTPI is blessed with loyal friends and supporters – those who are there for us in the good times and who have our backs when times are tough. It’s been a tough year for everyone. Some organizations aren’t going to survive. With your help, we will.
I am thankful for the anonymous donor who stepped forward with a $100,000 challenge to help us do more than just survive. Every dollar you give during our year-end fundraising campaign will be doubled, helping us to thrive – to begin the new year with a new strategic plan and the resources we need to put it into action.
We are still in the process of finalizing details of the strategic plan, but this much I can share with you in advance: over the next three years we are going to make a big leap forward honoring the living legacy of Roger Tory Peterson, whose art made a real difference in the world. Art with intention. Art that helps protect and preserve the natural world we love.
Wishing you and yours the very best this holiday season.
Be safe. Be Well.
Arthur Pearson
