3 December, 2020
Dear HCA Friends and Supporters,
I am writing to share the news that Kris Waldman has decided to leave the Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) as its co-Director at the end of this year. After 15 years of dedicated service to expanding the reach of the arts, first as Board Chair and Executive Director of the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) and then in her joint leadership of the HCA with Kelly Grill, Kris’ positive impact is undeniable.
When Kris first told me and our Board about her decision to move on, we were sad to learn this news, but understood it was borne of her yearning to expand her experiences and apply her creativity in new ways. She explained that after much thoughtful consideration, she wants to reconnect to her own art and that this pandemic has stirred within her a desire to apply her creativity to help those most severely impacted, particularly on issues related to hunger. With such noble ambitions, we are thrilled for Kris and her next adventure.
As we prepare to bid her farewell, I want to recognize some of her major accomplishments:
Establishing the HCA as a notable arts center
Helping to build the HCA barn and performance center by marketing, fundraising, grant writing, and managing the 2014-2015 capital improvement project.
Expanding the Visual Arts program to include ceramics with more than 100 classes annually, and an Art Exhibition program featuring exhibitions of work by emerging and established artists.
Increasing student participation from just 66 in 2011 to over 2,200 annually, and drawing visitors from over 340 communities across the US, Canada and Europe.
Expanding the HCA community by increasing diversity and including people of all abilities
Improving access with a focus on diversity by offering scholarships, free passes to performances, and complementary programs.
Establishing art classes for children with autism and adults with developmental disabilities and securing a $100,000, five-year grant with the Lisnow Respite Center.
Winning the 2020 Community Partner Award for an art project where kids explored feelings toward racism, the pandemic, and social unrest.
Building a sustainable arts center
Expanding the HCA brand and social marketing to include nearly 30,000 website visitors per year and 5,600 email contacts.
Introducing non-profit best practices to HCA staff and board members.
Navigating the HCA through a difficult 2020 fueled by a global pandemic with creative programming, tailored grant writing, and fundraising.
Please join me in thanking Kris for all she has done to build the HCA into an inclusive and supportive community where people can explore and participate in the arts. We wish her much success in her future endeavors.
Kelly Grill will continue on as the sole Executive Director of the HCA, and we are confident that she will continue to develop our center and our community with much success. Although Kris will be deeply missed, with Kelly and the seasoned HCA staff beside her, we expect a smooth transition. The organization emerges from 2020 stronger, wiser, and poised for still greater things.
Be well,
Janet Ceddia
Chair, HCA Board
