For those new to our mailing list, welcome! Here's a brief introduction to our unique organization.
 
Alumni of the A.R.T. Institute share an exceptional experience. As graduate students, we trained and worked with some of the world's most visionary theater artists. The past and present leadership of the A.R.T.--Robert Brustein, Robert Woodruff, and now Diane Paulus--are an inspiration to our alumni. They are innovative, experimental, and independently minded artists who forged their careers not by seeking to join the mainstream, but rather by fighting to create their own work and to redefine the theatrical landscape.
 
It was in this spirit of independence and bold vision that several A.R.T. graduates came together in 2004 to found our own non-profit corporation--the A.R.T. Institute Alumni Association. Our organization aims to foster the artistic growth of our graduates, cultivate career opportunities by supporting and strengthening alumni networking efforts, and empower our artists to develop and create their own work. The organization is run entirely by alumni volunteers.
 
We hold three annual events, publish a Directory of Graduates, and maintain an on-line Alumni News page and Alumni Spotlight (check out the recent 2008 update!).
 
We're thrilled to announce our newest initiative, the Alumni Lab Artist Grants, a program to fund the creation and development of alumni work. (See details below).  We've also launched the Alumni Mentoring Program, which matches recent grads with experienced alumni of similar interests and backgrounds in cities across the country.
 
In addition, we have several new and improved on-line networking tools now available to keep our graduates connected, working, and inspired: an Alumni Facebook Group, and a LinkedIn Group. We also continue to run the Yahoo! List-serve.
 
This amazing organization needs your support. If you're an alum, and you haven't already paid your 2008 dues, or if you are a Friend of the Alumni Association and would like to make a donation, please see the instructions below.
 
An enormous thanks to all our alumni volunteers.
 
Hope to hear from you soon.

Yours,

Rebekah Maggor ('03)
President, A.R.T. Institute Alumni Association

 

 
*L.A. Fall Gathering: Saturday evening, October 25th
*New York Fall Gathering: Monday evening, October 27th
 
Exact times and locations to come!

In our most recent dues drive of February 2008, 38 ART Alumni contributed $25 a piece to the Alumni Association.  In pure numbers, that's less than 10% of all ART grads.  So we asked ourselves, and we asked alumni, what it was, besides a stalled economy and the ever-increasing cuts in arts funding, that made the $25 a year dues contribution a sticky proposition for so many people.  The resounding answer was a confusion over where the funds actually go. 

While none of the CORE officers or board members that founded and run the Alumni Association make a dime for their work, there are certain clerical, administrative and fundraising activities that require cold hard cash.  Refreshments for the After Showcase events, space rental for Fall and Winter parties, copies from Kinkos, graphic designer fees, lawyers fees for obtaining our non-profit status with the IRS are all a drain on the Association's budget - but they are expenses that are necessary to fulfill our mission.  I can tell you very honestly that the focus of our monthly conference calls is ALWAYS on opening avenues, creating opportunities, helping each other out and NOT finding ways to separate alumni from their money.  Towards that end, the Association is proud to announce the huge step forward the Alumni Lab has taken.  Now ART alumni can apply for grants through the Association's Lab to fund their creative endeavors - a direct result of generous contributions from alumni, friends of alumni, and your dues!

 

So maybe we should change the moniker.  I know that when I hear the word "dues," what instantly comes to mind is "balance due" or "term paper due" or "past due" - that looming sense of obligation, of something I'm losing.  I propose a name change.  How about we ask you for your $25 ALF (Alumni Liberation Fund)?  Hmmm?  I like it, how about you? 

 

We look forward to your continuing ALF support - and we'll surely need it when lawyers for that 80's TV show sue our butts for copyright infringement.
Instructions on contributing to ALF below.

Sincerely,
 
Dan Domingues  ('03)       

 

To contribute to the Alumni Liberation Fund by PayPal

($25 plus $1.75 processing fee)

 

or send a check for $25 to:

A.R.T. Institute Alumni Association

18 Banks Street #406

Cambridge, MA 02138

 

Larger donations to the Alumni Association are always appreciated!

 

 $100 Donation

 

 $250 Donation

 

 $500 Donation