December 2007

Dear Friend:

It's that time of the year again, when non-profit Executive Directors make our annual editorial commentary about the merits of the organizations we run, and we appeal to you to continue to support our endeavors. Because I know you are receiving several of these letters a day right now, I will present our year's achievements as briefly as possible:

• BRAC is grateful to have received an unprecedented commitment of capital support from our City officials, City Council Majority Leader, Joel Rivera, Bronx Borough President, Adolfo Carrion Jr. and the office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg; putting our building's redevelopment well underway, while incorporating the latest in sustainable design.
• With substantial grants from Time Warner, Youth Media and Arts Fund, the José E. Serrano WAS/NOAA Lower Bronx River Partnership and Con Edison, we greatly expanded our digital and ecoMedia programming in collaboration with our community partners, Phipps Community Development Corporation and Rocking the Boat.
• Through a major award from the New York State Music Fund, BRAC was able to support the creation, and presentation, of new music by four innovative contemporary composers - Papo Vazquez, Randy Johnston, Laura Andel and Ricardo Arias.
• Our 20th Anniversary "Harvest Moon" Gala, held in the stunning new wing of the Bronx Museum of the Arts, brought together long-term and new supporters to celebrate our mission to provide cultural experiences and environmental education through the arts.
• Finally, as we close out 2007, we are extremely proud to announce that BRAC has just been awarded a substantial two-year grant from Deutsche Bank's Arts and Enterprise Place-Based Revitalization program to lead a community-based marketing campaign to "brand" West Farms Square as a major "gateway" to the forthcomming Bronx River Greenway.

With all of these accomplishments, why should BRAC need additional assistance from you? Here's why. Even though most awards support exciting projects or programs, the amount of funds allowed for administrative costs are limited to a small percentage of the grants, thus creating a gap between the dynamic programs we present and our "capacity" to produce them without straining our human and material resources. Your "unencumbered" dollars make all the difference in maintaining a healthy work environment for the dedicated individuals who give of their talents and skills every day to enrich the lives of the youth and families that come to BRAC throughout the year. Please give what you can, and continue to give, so as to strengthen our ability to do what we do best.

Thank you,

Gail Nathan
Executive Director

Support Us

As a contributor to the Bronx River Art Center, you will be invited to exhibitions, openings and seminars. Plus, you will receive discounts to performing arts and special events, and you will enjoy opportunities to meet with resident artists in their studios.

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION:
Name___________________________________________ Street___________________________________________ City__________________State________Zip___________ Telephone_______________________________________
E-mail__________________________________________ Date____________________________________________

DONATION LEVELS:
Individual: $25
Friend: $25-$99
Family: $150*
Sponsor: $100-$199
Benefactor: $200-$499
Silver Circle: $500-$999
Gold Circle: $1000 and up

Please make checks payable to: Bronx River Art Center.
Mail to: Bronx River Art Center P.O. Box 5002 Bronx, NY 10460
Call 718-589-5819 with any inquiries.