The President’s Message - 2007

The definition of ART covers a large portion of a page in the dictionary, but fails to impart the complete meaning of how important the ARTS are to humanity. The ARTS offer the opportunity for us to realize that we are much more than sinew and bone, more than a self-absorbed fellow traveler seeking to survive the next day. The ARTS inspire and humble, please and challenge, excite and sooth, and cause every human emotion possible.

The ARTS also have a demonstrable positive affect on society. My favorite example: High School students involved in any form of the ARTS score significantly higher in their SAT tests than their no-art classmates. These same ARTS students are more actively involved in the community, have fewer problems with authority, and become better citizens than the no-art high school attendees.

The Plymouth Arts Foundation – now known as the Plymouth Arts Center – started 12 short years ago when a small group of like-minded people wanted to share the ARTS with the community. Today, we have 600 members, and have had more than 15,000 people through our doors this year. Our membership art show had over 100 exceptional entries this year. The events, through the efforts of our Executive Director, Donna Hahn, have become more numerous and more diverse, encouraging more people to experience and participate in the ARTS.

Now, we have the opportunity, with the recent move of the Plymouth Historical Society, to occupy the entire building. This has many advantages including the ability to offer more events for our members and the community. It also presents a financial challenge. Your Board of Directors is exploring the options available to us, and hopes to have a plan of action within the next few months. Growth, when it is logical, needed and offers value to the community is good, but growth for growth’s sake must be avoided.

None of our success would be possible without the continuing support of our members, volunteers, business and individual sponsors, and the community. This is your organization. Our goal, as always, is to make the Plymouth Arts Center a place that provides you with what you seek in the ARTS.


Tom Slater, President