Summer 2017 Community Letter
Dear Friend,
What does “independence” mean to you this July 4th?
As the current administration chips away at hard-won liberties on so many fronts, you are helping us work daily to protect freedom of expression and fight for justice.
At the Sanctuary, “independence” means freeing ourselves from reliance on the arts and science funding programs under attack in Washington right now.
Can you help us build organizational independence by becoming a Sanctuary Sustainer?
With your support, for more than a decade, we’ve been a hub for artists and activists. Too much of our revenue comes from state and federal grants. In the current political climate, this could be fatal.
We need to develop a diversified base of financial support. The best way to do it is with regular small contributions from many individuals. That’s the goal of our Sanctuary Sustainer program.
We’ve had an incredible run at The Sanctuary for Independent Media! Music from Salif Keita, Fatoumata Diawara, Thomas Mapfumo, Jayne Cortez, and so many more. Talks by Matt Taibbi, Amy Goodman, Chris Hedges, Jeremy Scahill, and others. Films with George Stoney, Laura Poitras, Albert Maysles, Patricio Guzman, and more.
Who would have thought this possible from a base at an abandoned church in a long-neglected neighborhood in North Troy?
Not only is it possible, we’ve grown remarkably over the past decade. From a small indoor venue and production facility, we’ve expanded with an outdoor mosaic art stage at Freedom Square, sprawling permaculture gardens, a community radio station, and both an environmental media education center and a bio-art lab with a citizen science focus.
The Sanctuary for Independent Media operates at the convergence of art, science, and the environment–the nexus of controversy in our hyper-politicized time.
It’s vital, exciting, urgent… but not a safe position. We need your help!
For three weeks, from July 4 through July 25, we’re asking our supporters to sign up to donate whatever they can afford each month.
Our goal is 50 new Sustainers. Ten dollars a month would be great, but whatever it is–from $1 to $100 per month or more–your regular contribution will help relieve us from our reliance on foundation and government grants and set us free.
We can’t do this without you. Please become a Sanctuary Sustainer.
Yours in creative resistance,
Steve Pierce
Executive Director
P.S. Our cultural institutions are under attack. Support the ones you care about. Please become a Sanctuary Sustainer! Use the enclosed envelope or visit MediaSanctuary.org!
