An open letter from performing artist Randy Judkins
Dear Educators:
This is a difficult message for me to write to you. I’m asking for your help – financial help. Not for me, but for a number of Maine artists who have provided creative and superlative services to Maine students this past school year.
You see, I’m the president of the board of directors for a small yet extremely active non-profit organization here in Maine called VSA Arts Maine. www.vsartsmaine.org/ Our mission is to provide ‘arts to all’ especially artists, young and old, with disabilities. For over 4 decades, we’ve been a contributing state chapter of a National VSA arts organization begun by Jean Kennedy Smith in 1974 and have reached into all corners of Maine, providing artist residencies in schools, workshops for teachers and artists, mentoring for adult artists with disabilities, exhibitions of work by artists with disabilities, and partnerships with cultural venues throughout the state to improve accessibility. We are the only organization that provides such services with and for artists with disabilities.
The previous couple of years were banner years for us with robust programming by top-notch artists backed by numerous grants, foundational support and a healthy amount of private donations. This recent season, our programming remained ambitious until, to be frank, the proverbial bottom fell out. Grants, donations and foundational support dried up or just never came through to back up our programming commitments. To cut costs, our entire staff has been laid off and our office/gallery closed.
In a nutshell, I am trying to raise $18,000 which will go towards paying our commitment to artists and closing out our fiscal year. We could use your help. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated. Checks made out to “VSA Arts Maine” can be sent to VSA Arts Maine, PO Box 65, Yarmouth, ME 04096.
Most hopefully and grateful,
Randy Judkins
me arts ed 