Dear Centrum Supporter and Arts Education Advocate:

From all of us at Centrum, we want to express our utmost gratitude to all of our supporters, who, through their work in writing and contacting their legislators, ensured that Centrum’s funding was a part of the state’s biennium budget for 2010 and 2011 at the same level of funding in the previous budget.  This was a very challenging task and we are extremely grateful that we will be able offer Washington students the opportunity to positively impact their lives through the arts.

We are very mindful of the fact that we have three outstanding legislators in our district – Representatives, Majority Leader Lynn Kessler and Deputy Majority Whip Kevin Van De Wege along with Senator James Hargrove.  These individuals spent countless hours behind the scenes working with their fellow legislators to restore and preserve this funding.

Having been involved in arts education advocacy in other states and communities around the nation, I am greatly moved by the activist spirit of Washingtonians and the fact that so many Centrum supporters from all over the state took time to call and write their legislators. It clearly made the difference.

Again, thank you for your continued support of Centrum, its programs, and arts education in the State of Washington.

Gratefully,

John A. MacElwee
Executive Director