I can’t tell you how great a feeling it is to have this time now, to look and think back at what the Alliance was when I joined the board back in 2017 and what it is today. Now nearly a decade later, the organization’s membership has tripled in size, we’ve hosted two major arts events in Party for the Arts 1 & 2, and over 20 events total, from visual arts shows to sing-alongs and tree lightings and workshops.
The Alliance has expanded its voice, becoming major contributors to local arts in terms of the Torpedo Factory, Old Town North Arts District, Amazon HQ2, the now defunct Potomac Yards Entertainment District, the Hilco Redevelopment and many more… Even in terms of the City Arts Grants Program, we’ve collaborated with the Commission for the Arts and our members, successfully advocating for an increase in grants funding for the first time in decades. We’ve updated our digital footprint, modernizing our organization behind the scenes and in front while also developing a board makeup that continues to better represent not just the local arts community, but our rich diversity as well.
All of this would have not been possible without our board members, both past (Like Patricia Washington, Joan Singer, Pat Miller, Kelley Organek) and present… and those we’ve worked and collaborated with; the Office of the Arts and Alexandria’s Commission for the Arts. Both Diane Ruggiero and Brian Kelley, respectively, have been amazing allies and friends to the Alliance. While we don’t always travel on the same tracks, the destination is the same and I thank them for both making the journey that much better.
And of course, to our members… a very special thank you. This just simply does not work without you. The voices you’ve lent, the knowledge you’ve shared, the support you’ve shown has meant the world to me and the entire board. I’m just always so moved that your devotion for the arts has also shown a devotion for your community as well.
And to the board of this past year…
Alfa Tate O’Neill, Laura Torchia and Ann Liddle, it’s been amazing getting to know you and having you be part of the work we do. Hilary Tomeny, I really appreciate the years we’ve worked together. Amber Bryson, you’ve done so much in such little time, I’m just really excited to see what you can accomplish and what the Alliance looks like because of it. Amber Gordon, Carolyn Griffin, Gayle Converse and Ul James, I can’t thank you four enough for quite literally everything. You all have always had my back and kept me going. I really will treasure the years we’ve shared and the wisdom each of you have provided. You’ve cared about the arts and this organization deeply, unwavering, and that always is something that has stuck with me and kept me anchored.
And of course, Josh Heit and Stacey Becker, you’ve been the backbone of the Alliance the past couple of years now and everything you see and feel today and the next day and the next year and the next 10 will be because of the hard work you’ve done and yet to do, and dedication you have to all of us. Both of you care so much and so deeply, I know that the Alliance and what it is now will truly be better than any of us can imagine because of that
In closing, I just wanted to end with the beginning… When I was first elected President three years ago at the Annual Membership Meeting, I talked about my father, a concept that he instilled in me, basically: “What is a man that does not make what is around him better?’ It’s been a driving force of my life. Not everything we’ve done during my tenure was perfect, I don’t think it was meant to be. I still remember a conference I was at a few years ago, and I got a question about one of our events, it was basically: What were the metrics you were going for that would mark that a success. My answer? The only metric that mattered was that we actually pulled it off!
Coming out of the pandemic, in a way, my overarching want was to see the Alliance find itself again. All the things we’ve done and accomplished was to that end.
And now that we know who we are and what we can do, I can’t wait to see what we become.
Thank you all for the opportunity to serve. Thank you all for serving your community. Take care!
Jason Longfellow.