Dear Colleagues,

Over the last several months we have significantly accelerated our efforts to educate the community and opinion leaders about the critical need to invest in arts and culture throughout Arizona.  Thank you for dedicating yourself to this important cause, and for participating in this endeavor to move our state and the creative cluster forward.

You have been so instrumental in generating tremendous interest and support, and it is inspiring to witness the arts and culture community joining together to identify potential solutions.

As you know, we have conducted dozens of community and business leader meetings throughout the state drawing attention to our valuable creative assets, and calling for action to enhance and expand the resources we have available to transform our economy.  Through these meetings and numerous hours of hard work, we were able to engage over a thousand arts and culture organizations and representatives, and developed meaningful language with the hopes of qualifying for the 2010 ballot.

With your help, our research also included thorough polling and survey work to track our viability as the election cycle draws nearer.  Up until this point, our feasibility appeared optimistic and encouraging to move forward.  Our research continues to confirm that a dedicated funding source for arts and culture is still favored by 2/3rds of Arizonans.

However, the research also suggests that in the midst of the state budget crisis citizens are confused on what to do as an important first step. That reality combined with our most recent survey work has indicated that success is unlikely in 2010.  As a result we have concluded we need to look toward the future in 2012.

In the meantime, we will persist in educating opinion leaders and the community about the tremendous benefits that can be reaped from investing in arts and culture, and we hope you will continue to help us drive this fight.  Thank you for your continued support and assistance.  We are grateful for the countless hours of hard work you extended on behalf of this noble attempt to set a new and innovative foundation for Arizona to prosper.

Sincerely,

Myra Millinger
President and CEO
Metro Phoenix Partnership for Arts & Culture

January 27, 2010