Dear Friends of Interlochen,
Normally this space is reserved for a letter from President Jeffrey Kimpton. However, since this issue of Crescendo contains an interview with Mr. Kimpton, I will write the welcome and set the stage for what I think you will find to be a fascinating read.
Five years ago the Interlochen Board of Trustees sought new leadership to help us grow into the 21st century. Today, five years later, we are at an extraordinary time in the life of the institution we all love. From program revitalization to new disciplines, financial health and stability to facilities construction, historic preservation to campus improvements, technology to awards and achievements, Interlochen is prepared to meet the future because so many of us were inspired to exhibit individual acts of leadership that have taken Interlochen to new heights. The trustees are grateful for the tremendous support and commitment demonstrated by Jeff and so many others throughout the last half decade.
The past five years have been an important part of the process of evolutionary change for Interlochen, an evolution that all institutions go through in their lives. I suspect that readers who have connections to other arts organizations will recognize that Interlochen is confronting many of the same challenges and questions as other arts organizations around the world. In this issue, you will begin to see how the changes we have undertaken in the last five years will serve as the foundation for Interlochen 2020. This is a bold initiative that builds on the achievements of the past 81 years, our core values, and our core audiences, and will take Interlochen into the world of virtual communications and engagement, partnerships and collaborations. As this initiative unfolds over the next three years, we will put forth great effort to connect our campus in the woods to each of you around the globe.
As a board of trustees we celebrate where we are today and relish the prospect of a bright and vital future. We thank you for helping us get to this point, for your enduring support of this remarkable institution, and for embracing our vision for the future.
Sincerely,
Steve Hayden
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Interlochen Center for the Arts
Vice Chairman, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide
New York City
