Dearest Friends,

When my sister died two months ago (and thanks to so many of your for your kind condolences) a spark was ignited in me to live more fully and with more work-life balance.  One month to the day later, I accepted a new job as Assistant Director of Community Services working for the City of Palo Alto.  My new job will include building up the arts in Palo Alto as well as parks, open spaces, history and science.  My family and I will be moving there this summer.  So it is with a grateful heart that I inform you of my resignation as Executive Director of SMAC and Friends of SMAC.

In SMAC's 35 years of existence, there have been 4 executive directors: Bill Moskin, Wendy Ceccherelli, Michelle Walker and myself.  When Michelle passed the baton to me almost 7 years ago, she said, "Will you fight for SMAC?"  It was an ominous moment and I made that solemn promise.

It has been my honor and joy to fulfill that promise.  I have fought for SMAC's importance at the proverbial table- whether that be our role in economic development, the role of the nonprofit arts sector, the building of community services throughout the City and County, or fighting for our very existence during the economic downturn.  I am proud of the revamping and professionalization of our organization, the dedicated, small but mighty staff, the 4,000% growth of private dollars in our coffers, the good working relationships we have in the community.  I am proud that we have raised the visibility of the arts through our new arts marketing and outreach program area with the campaign ARTS.OPEN DAILY, the online calendar Sacramento365.com, and expansion of our technical assistance offerings with Where's the Money and SMAC. OPEN DAILY convenings.  I am proud that we were able to negotiate successfully for $8,000,000 for our largest public art project ever at the new airport terminal and fended off those who would tear that program down.  I am also proud that our Arts Education, Grants & Cultural Programs provide meaningful service and value.

But mostly I am grateful that we were able to facilitate the weaving together of the creative sector into the fabric of our larger community-  to know that we were in homeless shelters, health clinics and senior centers, that we provided the region with over 1,000 free poetry readings over the years through our Poet Laureate program;  that our over 200 Microgrants awarded to artists and small arts groups have made a difference in so many neighborhoods; that we fought for our nonprofit arts groups who give over 350,000 free or discounted tickets away each year;  that the dozens of trainings we did for teachings artists helped them get jobs to support their creativity; that the important contributions of artists and arts groups were recognized at City Council and the County Board; and that the over 125 partnerships and collaborations we formed with businesses, government and community groups has made Sacramento a better place to live and visit. I love the power of our many programs to truly serve and that people have a good experience with the public sector in part because of us. Our accountability, transparency and integrity in all our panel processes is stronger than ever.  Our commitment to diversity remains very strong as reported in our 5 year report.

I fell in love with the artists and arts groups of Sacramento long ago- they have been my inspiration for the 12 years I have been around SMAC.  I am very happy that we have helped build a wider support for the arts and cultural sector.  Many more people now believe in the role that the creative sector plays in Sacramento's economic development and quality of life.   

I have started important initiatives recently that are not completed but will continue in new ways.  They include the launching of Creative Sacramento- a new initiative I developed this year, with the input of many, that includes micro-financing in the creative sector, artist live-work space on R St, public art in PBID's, workforce development, convenings and research, as well as partnerships in the private sector to expand jobs and grow businesses in the creative economy.  I also pass on to new leadership SMAC's key role on the Civic Amenities Committee of the Metro Chamber, support for the building of a flexible multi-use performing and visual arts center that compliments the Community Center theater, and participation in the Next Economy.

I am confident that SMAC's great work in the community will continue in style.

Thank you for the opportunities, the lessons, the ups and downs and most of all the good work with good folks.  Special and deep thanks to my staff,  friends, colleagues and partners throughout  the City and County.  I hope you will visit me in my new home, on Facebook and that I will see you again.

Warm regards and thanks,

Rhyena Halpern