A Beacon Of Hope

I’ve been struggling to write this blog post for a few weeks telling you about the Sandler Center Foundation’s new direction. A project I’ve been working on with my Board for quite some time. It’s not because I dislike writing, it’s because there are terrible things happening in the world right now that have left me feeling less than inspired to write something uplifting.

It’s difficult to shut out, especially given that I live in Hampton Roads (or for those of you unfamiliar with where that is – Coastal Virginia.) Our community is home to one of the largest, active duty military populations in the world comprising 15 military installations, 80,000+ personnel, and all branches of the military.

The first time I sat down to write this post - I heard the jets flying over my home and out to the ocean to land on the Eisenhower as they prepared to deploy two weeks ago. They took with them my neighbor (who would miss his son’s 8th birthday) and some friends.

The second time, I found out the USS Ford’s deployment had been extended. This impacted more friends whose family members were supposed to come home.

The third time, it was to find out my boyfriend’s father was safe at his cabin in Maine. He was coming home, unlike 18 others.

We are in dark times, but I gain solace in knowing the work I do for the Sandler Center Foundation is a beacon of hope, brightness, and joy for our community. My Board of Directors and I have spent the last 3+ years literally rewriting everything we do.

Why? Because you, our community, asked us to do so! Through thousands of emails, texts, conversations, and proposals… you said WE NEED MORE. You asked us for:

• More money to fund the arts that kept you watching streaming services and our SCF Virtual Stage during lockdown
• More arts education opportunities for children because it makes them more creative, helps improve their ability to read, and addresses their mental health
• More support for local arts groups, who were already struggling even before our doors were closed for 18 months.

That brings us too today. We have begun a new era at the Sandler Center Foundation. You may know us as the private portion of the public/private partnership that brought you the world-class venue – the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. Some of you may know of the 100,000+ children we brought through the doors and the hundreds of community outreach activities we helped to support.

We are, and always have been, your premier funder for the arts in Coastal Virginia. Now, we are laser focused on making sure we continue that legacy. We are directing our energies to raise funds to stabilize programs in children’s education and learning, support community arts organizations, and continue to help bring world-class performances to the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. You will see a new look and feel to our brand to reflect this new direction. We hope you will appreciate that it stays true to the Sandler Center aubergine (purple) and incorporates elements of the water that highlights so much of our community. 

In the coming months, we will roll out a strategic plan that will help govern and guide us over the next three years to make a major impact on arts and culture in our community. Why are we doing this – because we believe the arts and culture enrich our lives. They bring us joy in dark and uncertain times. They impact people’s lives for the better. They help us feel emotion and learn to navigate it in healthy ways; and they reach every population in the world. If you don’t believe me, try ignoring streaming a program, listening to music in your car, an athlete’s incredible footwork on the field which was gained through ballet lessons, and so much more…!

We invite you to join us in this endeavor. There will be surveys and the like, but you are always welcome to reach out to me directly at lisa@sandlercenterfoundation.org.

After all, you created us in 2007 because your incredible love of the arts resulted in so much generosity that you launched a foundation. Help us build it to the next level for our community. We are listening…

Lisa Baehre

Executive Director

Sandler Center Foundation