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Executive Director’s Letter November 26, 2019

This newsletter reaches thousands of readers every week and we are thankful for each of you. Your concern for, and commitment to the arts and humanities sector inspires us to work hard every day. I hope you find GBCA’s newsletter to be informative and motivating. You are an essential part of our efforts to nurture and promote Baltimore’s cultural sector—one of our most important assets.

GBCA is also grateful for the many individuals, corporations and foundations who make gifts and grants to support our critical work. If you haven’t yet done so, and as Giving Tuesday approaches, I hope you will also contribute to ensure we can continue to pursue our mission.

Did you know that Maryland is third in the country in per capita investment in the arts? Now that’s truly something to be thankful and continue to fight for. Governor Hogan and the State Delegation are not just generous, they are smart! For every $1 the state invests, the sector returns $4. I am grateful for the ways in which Maryland Citizens for the Arts drives this message home.

More gratitude. The GBCA Board of Directors, many of whom are hard at work running their own organizations, provides incredible leadership for GBCA. They are a brain trust and a treasure, committed to the good of the entire sector. Joining them is the talented GBCA staff: Kibibi Ajanku, Renz Balagtas, Teara Booker, Alexis Dixon, Marian Glebes, Nick Horan, David London, and Luca Mochi. It is a gift to have their dedication to and passion for the cause.

Of course, Thanksgiving is also a holiday about which the United States is only beginning to come to terms. Often the dark history of how Native Americans were slaughtered and their lands stolen is unspoken. For some, it is a painful time of remembering, not celebrating. I am encouraged that teachers now grapple with new ways to tell this story to school children. Unlike my experience, teachers today are on the front line of changing the old narrative of colonists and Native Americans gathering happily to feast. Check out this NPR piece to learn a little more.

https://www.npr.org/2019/11/24/782403538/teaching-thanksgiving

All my best,

Jeannie

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