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July 17, 2008
To the Board of the Southern Theater:
We are a group of artists, audience members, and donors committed to the Southern Theater.
We are concerned with the "indefinite leave" issued to Artistic Director, Jeff Bartlett, and the void of artistic leadership this creates. We are also gravely concerned with the manner in which this decision was made and the attendant silence around this action from the Board of Directors.
We feel that these actions in and of themselves are troubling, and are concerned that they indicate a larger sensibility and style of leadership that is detrimental to the future of the Southern.
We support Jeff's vision of artistic leadership, and we believe that artistic and financial viabilities go hand in hand. We hope our collective voice will be considered as the Board tenders its ultimate decision regarding Jeff.
While we respect what may be confidential aspects of the Board's negotiations with Jeff, we as individuals and community leaders who directly support the financial and artistic life of the Southern demand a public meeting with the Board of Directors to discuss how this situation was handled, and how it reflects the Board's vision. The Southern Theater is a 501(c)3 organization and its board is beholden to public accountability.
The Southern's mission statement declares its commitment to artists, audiences and the local community. We expect the Board will honor that commitment by meeting with the community in a timely fashion.
The UMN Dance Department has offered space for this meeting on Monday, July 21st at 7:00 p.m. We look forward to your confirmation.
Sincerely,
Morgan Thorson, Artist
Judith Howard, Carleton College/Artist
Mary Easter, Founder and Director of the Dance Program, Carleton College/Dancer/Choreographer
Cassandra Shore, Artistic Director, Jawaahir Dance Company*
Sarah K. Sawyer, Arts Journalist/Performer
Katherine Strohmaier, Performer
Ranee Ramaswamy, Artistic Director, Ragamala Music and Dance Theater*
Aparna Ramaswamy, Artistic Director, Ragamala Music and Dance Theater*
Judith Brin Ingber, Artist
Wendy Knox, Frank Theater
Leslie Ball, BALLS Cabaret*
Kevin Lawler, Director/Actor
Karla Grotting, Founding Member/Artistic Associate, Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum*
Colette Illarde, FUEGO Flamenco*
Robert Haarman, Artist
Michele Blanchard, Perimeter Productions
Robert C. Hammel, Perimeter Productions, Former Southern Board Member
Tamara Nadel, Founding Member/Development and Outreach Director, Ragamala Music and Dance Theater*
Ashwini Ramaswamy, Founding Member, Ragamala Music and Dance Theater*
Ben Krywosz, Nautilus Music Theater
David Harris, Performer/Arts Producer
Linda Shapiro, Arts Writer
James Sewell, James Sewell Ballet*
Laurie Van Wieren, Choreographer; Producer/Host of 9x22 Dance/Lab
Jon Skaalen, VSA Arts Minnesota
Sally Rousse, Sewell Family Foundation
Megan McClellan, Artist
Brian Sostek, Artist
Penelope Freeh, James Sewell Ballet/METRO Magazine Dance Writer*
Nicolas Lincoln, James Sewell Ballet*
Genevieve Bennett, Artist
Molly Stoltz, Dance BFA Major, University of Minnesota
Jeremy Bensussan, Out on a Limb Dance Company
Susana di Palma, Artistic Director, Zorongo Flamenco*
Justin Jones, Artist*
Carl Flink, Chair, University of Minnesota Dance Department; Artistic Director, Black Label Movement*
Karen Sherman, Artist*
Joe Chvala, Artistic Director, Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum*
Steve Dietz, Director, Northern Lights
* denotes 2008-2009 season artist
cc:
Kathleen Fluegel, Program Director, HRK Foundation
Neal Cuthbert, Vice President of Program, The McKnight Foundation
Vickie Benson, Program Director, The McKnight Foundation
Nancy Fushan, Program Officer, Bush Foundation
Amy Frimpong, Senior Program Officer, State Arts Board
Sue Gens, Interim Executive Director, State Arts Board
Jeff Prauer, Executive Director, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Kris Kewitsch, Target Foundation
Cynthia Gehrig, President, The Jerome Foundation
Eleanor Savage, Program Officer, The Jerome Foundation
Philip Bither, Performing Arts Curator, Walker Art Center
R.T. Rybak, Mayor of the City of Minneapolis
Cam Gordon, City Council, Ward 2, City of Minneapolis
Caroline Palmer, City Pages
Chris Roberts, Minnesota Public Radio
Rohan Preston, Star Tribune
Marianne Combs, Minnesota Public Radio
Camille Le Fevre, Star Tribune
Graydon Royce, Star Tribune
Dominic Papatola, Pioneer Press
Kathy Berdan, Pioneer Press
Heidi Raschke, Senior Editor, Pioneer Press
Casey Selix, Minnpost.com
Lightsey Darst, Minneapolis-St.Paul Magazine; mnartists.org
Marya Morstad, KFAI
Tim Gihring, Arts Editor, Minnesota Monthly
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