Neighborhood Programs

Friendship Development Associates

Penn Avenue Arts District Manager Jeffrey Dorsey Resigns

August 16, 2006

Dear Penn Avenue Arts Initiative Supporters:

As of August 27, 2006, I will be stepping down as the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative (PAAI) Arts District Manager in order to take the position of Executive Director for the Friendship Development Associates (FDA).

Becky Mingo, current FDA Executive Director will continue with FDA as part time real estate development specialist and we are lucky to have her skills and dedication to the many new exciting real estate projects we are working on. We will also be hiring a new Arts District Manager that will continue the vision of, and build upon the work of PAAI, including growing Penn Avenue through the National Mainstreet Program. (Note: A job announcement will be posted shortly after the transition. So please stay tuned.)

For nearly 8 years, 6 years as Arts District Manager, and nearly two years prior to that as an artist/volunteer, I have enjoyed working for FDA to help the organization accomplish its mission. It has been a privilege learning from, and working with, so many talented and passionate people, including, staff, board members, funders, bankers, businesses, artists and arts organizations, community groups, the City, partners, neighbors, and friends.

Together we have created a nationally recognized model for Arts-driven revitalization by:
• Creating a vision for Penn Avenue;
• Supporting the purchase and renovation of property for sale and for rent to artists;
• Empowering artists by teaching them how to affordably purchase and renovate buildings through annual Artist Homeowner Workshops;
• Increasing the number of artists who own live and workspaces on Penn Avenue while simultaneously decreasing vacancy rates;
• Renovating facades through the support of our Artist Loan and Grant Fund;
• Creating a community of artists, arts organizations, and arts-related businesses;
• Working with volunteers from the neighborhood, schools, and universities;
• Marketing the district via the creation of a website, the A-list weekly e-news, a documentary film, appearing in press articles, a new book, and on television;
• Creating Unblurred: a free monthly event that opens the district’s world class arts facilities including artists studios, galleries, and performance venues, to the public to demonstrate new ways to live, work, and create;
• Connecting artists with youth and their families to create meaningful art projects;
• Working with local artists to create public art, and;
• Leveraging new, non-arts related investment on Penn Avenue

Thank you for your support and encouragement along the way. It has been an honor to work with you all. I look forward to continuing my passion for our community in my new leadership role as Executive Director of Friendship Development Associates and to continue working with you to support the vision and hard work done by FDA and all of its programs, including the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Dorsey
Arts District Manager