As the Alaska Fine Arts Academy enters its second quarter-century, we are greeted with a series of challenges, the first of which is an imperative: Growth.  While the status quo has been acceptable for years past, the opportunity for rapid development and growth is upon us and we must seize the opportunity. 

This wonderful growth opportunity includes a dramatically expanded theater season with both educational and para-professional productions, an expanded music curriculum, a new collaboration with Hope Community Resources to bring performance arts into their new recreation center, and much more. As these efforts begin to bear fruit, the ground work that has already been laid for development of our property on the hill east of downtown Eagle River will begin to gain momentum.  Our plans for this property include a 225 seat theater, improved music practice and performance spaces, shop space, a café, art gallery and more.

Managing this growth will require more than part-time efforts delivered by our all volunteer Board of Directors. If the Academy is to become more than it has been in the past, it will need the services of a full-time Executive Director. Such an individual will be hired by and answerable to the Board of Directors, responsible for carrying out the policies established by the Board of Directors and insuring the ongoing growth of the Academy.

To secure the services of an Executive Director we need to be able to pay an acceptable wage for this critical position.  While there are many ways to accomplish this, we have decided to take a grassroots approach to obtain the funding for the Executive Director position.  The Executive Director's primary responsibilities will center on the growth of the Academy, financing that growth as well as ongoing movement on our Five-Year Development plan which includes construction of the new Academy building and theater, additional collaborations with other organizations and greater efforts to meet our community's needs.

In order to fund an Executive Director, I would like your assistance.  I would like you to partially sponsor our Executive Director by becoming a member of the Alaska Fine Arts Executive Club.  This elite group of 250 people will be honored by being named on a plaque on the wall adjacent to the entrance of the theater, will be invited to special Executive Club Member only events, attendance at free Command Performances of our theater productions, opportunity to rent space within the Academy at a reduced rate and will receive other opportunities.  Your tax-deductible monthly gift of $25 can be conveniently managed by automatic deduction from a credit card of your choice. 

Please join with me in this effort to secure long-term funding for an Executive Director position and help us meet the needs of the Alaska Fine Arts Academy.

Artistically yours,

Robert R. Croley, President

Alaska Fine Arts Academy