Year-end Letter

Dear Friend of International Arts Movement,

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to our web site, which gives an overview of our programming and leadership. Designed by Matt Kirkland of Brand New Box, the site is our latest effort in helping friends like you stay apprised of what we are doing, and how we are growing.

And talk about growth!

The 2007-2008 fiscal year represents the most exponential growth the Movement has ever seen.  Three new staff members, a new midtown location, many new program initiatives, and increased participation and global interest are strong indications that we are fulfilling our mission to inspire the international creative community to engage the culture that is and create the world that ought to be.

As we come to the close of 2008, the state of the economy is on all of our minds. Many are experiencing the effects of a strained and broken system that is unable to offer the hope humanity needs. At International Arts Movement, we are feeling this as well. For example, plans to hire a much-needed new staff member were put on hold as donations have slowed in recent months, and we have made cuts in other areas as well.

Yet, we are deeply hopeful. In fact, we believe that IAM exists exactly for such a time as this, when the world needs to be offered something more than the temporal promises of a volatile market. As IAM's founder Makoto Fujimura said recently,

"At International Arts Movement, our mission is to create, and the recent events only point us to the deeper core of our calling. As Bryan Horvath, our Executive Director, and I look to the future of IAM, we feel we have much offer to breathe hope into the current realities. Our remarkable team of bi-vocational staff and our volunteers are well equipped to handle this tough climate. We have a kind of flexibility and creative spirit to stay focused on stewarding the resources given to us, while continuing to generate new, exciting ideas. In fact, if history is correct, these times are moments of opportunity for artists to lead, to engage in the 'enterprise of persuasion' (Howard Gardner), and, perhaps, even create lasting, enduring art and cultural impact."

When stock portfolios are sinking and grocery costs are rising, IAM offers something whose value only increases during such turmoil: the good, true and beautiful manifested in our world. A saxophone solo that lifts someone's spirit. A painting whose layers remind us there is much beyond what the eye can see. Poetry that stirs the heart and mind. Counter-cultural models for business, the arts and education that revolutionize sustainability and elevate humanity. A well-crafted piece of furniture, excellent in both form and function. These all represent some of the cultural artifacts being made by members of the IAM community, which point to the world that ought to be.

As we wrap up 2008 and look forward to a new year, we are eager with anticipation for the exciting things coming up. Encounter 09, "Art in Action," will feature former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins and the legendary Limon Dance, among many other cultural stewards who share IAM's vision for creating the world that ought to be. Our web site has gotten a complete overhaul and now allows us to do more online to communicate what is happening at IAM, including blogs, photos and podcasts.

IAM is not IAM without the support we receive from friends like you. If you are able to make a year-end donation to help us continue to inspire, engage and create, please send a check made payable to International Arts Movement to us at 38 West 39th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018 or click here to make a credit card donations.)

As always, all donations are tax-deductible under IAM's 501(c)(3) non-profit status. 

Thank you for journeying with us, and we hope to see you in '09.