President's Remarks

The following was taken from remarks made at Art on the Green
by 40 North | 88 West Board President Heather Smith:

Thank you all for coming this evening and for taking part in some Art on the Green. On behalf of the Board of Directors I’d like to thank the White’s for inviting us over this evening! Nothing like having a party with 120 of your closest friends.

Last fall when President White extended the invitation to us to hold a fundraising event, we were all taken by surprise. Thank you so much to the volunteers who put this event together in a rather short amount of time and to the artists who transformed a tent into a garden party. And, a huge thank you to this evening's sponsors.

This evening's event serves several purposes. First, we wanted you to experience art - up close and personal. We hope you’ve taken the time to do a little tango, make a piece of jewelry, paint a bit and learn something new. We hope that we’ve cultivated a little creativity in everyone here this evening.

Second, that you have learned a bit more about 40 North – that you’ve had a chance to look at the programs around the room and read about what the organization has accomplished over the last three years. Through advocacy, collaboration, and information, 40 North supports and promotes the important role that arts, culture and entertainment hold in making Champaign County a great place to live, work, learn and play.

Our third goal is that you will be so excited about cultivating creativity in Champaign County that you’ll join us in the effort … which is a nice way of saying we hope you’ll make a donation! From the everyday expenses of letterhead and business cards to the costs of producing a countywide arts festival, it takes a lot of resources to make it all happen. And through the generous contributions of friends like you we have been able to accomplish much in a very short period of time.

40 North is fortunate to have a committed, knowledgeable and connected full-time Director in Jennifer Armstrong, and a talented, patient and resourceful part-time Membership and Communications Manager in Steven Bentz. These two, along with active Board Members, have cultivated some amazing friends of the council. I’m not sure I can say thank you enough to our staff and supporters.

The programs around the room give you a more complete list of the activities 40 North has been involved with. I’d like to mention just two.

Our largest and most public event has just concluded – The Boneyard Arts Festival. This countywide event connects visual and performing artists with traditional and non-traditional venues making art accessible to everyone. It truly showcases the breadth and depth of art available in the county. The weather that weekend was amazing, and I hope many of you were able to take advantage of the event and see or hear something new.

In October, we celebrated Arts and Humanities month by honoring those in the community who contribute to the health and vitality of the arts. The ACE Awards are returning this fall. Be sure to watch the website for your chance to nominate an arts supporter!

Just as our name places us in this county, our donors are who put us on the map. Recognition of contributions to 40 North fall into two levels. The latitude club recognizes donations of $1,000 or more made during a given fiscal year. Latitude giving is the gas that keeps us going and moving in the right direction. The longitude club recognizes cumulative giving of $10,000 or more through the life of 40 North. Longitude giving is for the long haul, helping us plan ahead and see further down the road.

40 North is committed to cultivating creativity in Champaign County, fostering a vibrant and thriving environment for the arts, culture and entertainment that stimulates economic growth and enriches the quality of life for everyone. We ask that you become a part of that growth by supporting 40 North with your financial contribution. You can talk with any of the Board Members here this evening, or, if you’d like to talk more extensively about what your contribution can do, sign up at the reception area to meet one-on-one with Jennifer Armstrong.

Thank you,
Heather Smith
Board President, 40 North | 88 West