May the New Year greet you with renewed inspiration to strive for greatness in all you do. I am invigorated by the potential of what this year will bring and by what has been accomplished during the last year. The Fresno Arts Council will be launching its new www.fresnoartscouncil.org website with more to offer the arts community (launching by our next eNewsletter mid-January).

What can you expect to see in 2010? We have been adding about three ArtHop venues each month last year, and there are now 86 locations listed in the new brochure which will be available this month. Our membership campaign will highlight the value of membership – an online profile on the arts database and a new offering for an associate membership with Fractured Atlas that offers resources on reasonably priced liability and health insurance benefits. We have several other features that will be announced in the near future.

The arts community is experiencing some serious downsides due to the economy. Although the loss of the Metropolitan Museum after 26 years is a blow the city, we are still flush with other museums, exhibits and performance events. There is a renewed vigor in the Downtown Cultural Arts district with the development of new housing, retail, and services.

As people focus on wiser choices in spending their disposable income, the arts and culture sector remains a good investment due to the ripple effect of where those dollars go. We continue to encourage the community at large to support the arts through attending events and buying locally, particularly from the artists.

Have a great year!