From the Executive Director: A Look Back at 2014
At a time of year when we reflect on sharing, giving, and giving thanks, I can truly say that I’m grateful for Lotus and for its deep commitment to bringing people together through music and the arts. And I’m grateful for the ongoing support of friends and neighbors who make Lotus possible.
What does Lotus mean to you?
Exploring the “Masks Around the World” installation at the 2014 Festival Arts Village. Photo by Jim Krause
Maybe it’s discovery, celebration, and music filling the air downtown during the Festival . . . or perhaps it’s talking to your child about the excitement of the springtime Lotus Blossoms Bazaar.
For me, it’s simple: I believe that the Lotus mission makes our world a better place, by nurturing community, artistry, and a shared sense of joy.
With each program, Lotus plants the seeds of beauty, respect, curiosity, and cross-cultural understanding. In our schools, on our stages, and in our streets, Lotus is creating the kind of world I want to live in, and the kind of world I want for our children. That’s why I’m a Lotus donor — and it’s a vision I hope you’ll join me in supporting.
Members of the Kalapriya Indian dance ensemble perform at Eminence Schools in southern Indiana. Photo by Josh Perry.
2014 has been a remarkable year.
The 21st Lotus World Music and Arts Festival connected more than 10,000 people with artists from as far away as Mongolia, Sweden, and Vietnam . . . and included more than 43(!) hours of completely free multicultural programming. This past spring, Lotus Blossoms Educational Outreach visited K-12 students at 14 different schools in five counties, with performances from an Indian dance troupe, a drummer from the Ivory Coast, and a traditional folk trio from Quebec. The 2014 Lotus Summer Outreach project, “Masks around the World,” offered more than 200 children and participants of all ages the opportunity to imagine and create life-sized masks for an exhibit at the Festival’s Arts Village. And Lotus-lovers new and old joined together for our fifteenth Edible Lotus Benefit to support the programs that Lotus is proud to offer free to the public: arts workshops, public performances, artist residencies, Lotus in the Park, and the Lotus Blossoms World Bazaar.
Dena El Safaar (right) of the Bloomington Arab American Association talks to a Monroe County 4th-grader at the 2014 Lotus Blossoms World Bazaar.
None of these programs can exist without the day-to-day support provided by our Friends of Lotus.
Festival ticket revenue only covers half of our programming costs. Lotus relies on tax-deductible donations to make up more than 50% of our operating budget, and to keep the calendar full of Lotus experiences for children, families, and community members of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Your tax-deductible 2014 donation will help put the Lotus mission in action.
Make an easy online payment by clicking on the “Donate” button above, or contact Development Director Megan Hutchison (812-336-6599, or megan {at} lotusfest {dot} org) for more information about donor options.
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Sunni Fass
Sunni Fass is the Executive Director of the Lotus Education and Arts Foundation. You may reach her at 812-336-6599, or sunni {at} lotusfest {dot} org.
Top photo credits, clockwise from top: Aurelio on stage at the 2014 Lotus World Music and Arts Festival, photo by Jim Krause; Sogbety Diomande (from Côte d’Ivoire) performs at Harmony School during Lotus Blossoms, photo by Jeremy Hogan; a Lotus Inflatable (created by IU Fine Arts Students) in the Festival Arts Village, photo by Andy Qualls.
