A Message from Executive Director Steve Bailey

Dear Valued Friend of The Grand:

As we make preparations to switch gears from a long, hot (and I do mean HOT) Delaware summer to the shorter, cooler days and nights of fall, it’s a good time to reflect on the great success of a season just ended at The Grand and the promise of an all new season packed with fun, variety and excitement.

We at The Grand, like many of you, take the summer season to recharge personally by taking advantage of the many recreational outdoor activities in the region, vacation with family and friends and to simply relax while the lull of summer is in full effect. Of course, it’s not completely quiet at The Grand in the summertime. Though we present fewer touring concert artists, we are busy with six weeks of Summer Children’s Theater, free concerts on Market Street, and a number of other vital artistic projects serving the community. And as caretakers of The Grand, we also use this period to get ready for another 150,000 plus visitors to the building by cleaning carpets, painting, and repairing or replacing much-used equipment.

The never ending cycle of finishing one season and getting ready for the next reminds us that our mission has neither a starting nor an ending point, and that service to the community is a constant commitment to renew and replenish the activity at The Grand.

As we get ready to launch the 2011-12 season at The Grand, we are in the midst of a fund raising campaign that has already achieved over half of its $10 million goal. These funds will help ensure a successful future for The Grand by addressing some of our critical needs: infrastructure improvements/upgrades, debt retirement and endowment building. These are all critical for this cherished community institution to continue to be a powerful cultural resource for the entire region.

We ask you to remember that, just as the mission and activity of The Grand never ceases, neither does the need to support our mission and service to the community. During the last five years, The Grand has made great progress in reducing expenses, operating more efficiently and building a foundation for the next generation. So many of you have responded to our call for support and more are doing so every day, but the need to build a more diverse legion of support is our main priority as we launch a new season.

I ask you to come to The Grand often, to bring your friends and to join, if you haven’t already, the growing ranks of those who support The Grand through contributions and volunteerism.

Sincerely,

Stephen M. Bailey
Executive Director

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