Farewell Message from our Executive Director
Dear Friends of ARTS,
I’m writing to you to share that on December 31st I’ll be leaving A Reason To Survive (ARTS). I’ve loved this job and have great pride in all that we’ve accomplished together. After six thrilling and fulfilling years as Executive Director, I know the organization is in a stronger and more resilient position than when I started – and is ready for its next leader who will bring fresh thinking and energy to lead ARTS into its next era.
I’m most proud to have been a builder: of a creative space in the ARTS Center that is inspiring, inclusive, and safe for youth, families, and community; of a dynamic team of nonprofit and creative professionals who work everyday to ensure that our mission lives in our programs, and our impact resounds in the lives of the young people participating in those programs; and of a community where Creative Youth Development (CYD) practices have expanded opportunities for youth success across the South County region of San Diego.
With ARTS now well established as a trusted partner, convener, and voice in our region, I feel confident that ARTS’ next leader will be able to step in and sustain our momentum. I’m fully confident that our wonderful board and leadership team will receive strong candidates and make the right choice for the role.
Since 2018, ARTS has rebuilt in remarkable ways and reimagined its mission through a place-based lens to focus our work and impact in the South County region of San Diego. When I started, the organization was going through a different, more tumultuous transition. It’s a credit to the small and mighty team that came together in my first two years that enabled us to bridge from a period of uncertainty to one of stability and eventual thriving.
At the start of 2020, we were excited for what a third year of rebuilding would bring. Then came the pandemic. That April, we pivoted to virtual programming, and over the next 16 months served more than 1,500 youth and families. We also made the most of new funding opportunities – through generous private philanthropy and new pools of public resources – to build the foundations for what has become a robust leadership team and a programs team of more than two dozen.
Everything we’ve achieved – and made an attempt to achieve – has been based on standing up for community through the three pillars of CYD: elevating youth voice, fostering collective action, and championing racial equity and social justice.
I think of 2022-23 as the third two-year phase of growth in my time at the helm. These past two years have been the brightest, most expansive period of flourishing in the organization’s history. With this year’s budget approaching $2M, a team of 40 (with 17 teaching artists on staff!) dedicated to our mission, and with more than 700 youth engaged in a year across our four main programs and special community projects, we’ve come a long way for sure. I’m excited to see how the next leader will build upon this foundation.
Moreover, we’ve worked hard within the organization to cultivate what we call our “community of care,” rooted in the CARMA principles: Culture, Agency, Relationships, Meaning, and Aspiration.
We ground our comprehensive approach to building our space, team, and building through these pillars and principles, and in doing so our team members alongside the youth with whom we collaborate are realizing the words of our mission: to become confident, compassionate, and courageous community builders through the transformative power of creativity.
Everything we’ve accomplished – and attempted to move the needle on – has been based on the powerful partnerships we’ve grown and been nourished by over these six years.
Big thanks go to the City of National City and our school district partners: National School District, Sweetwater Union High School District, Chula Vista Elementary School District, San Diego Unified, and the Juvenile Court and Community School District at the SD County Office of Education.
We’ve worked shoulder to shoulder with an incredible array of CYD and community organizations over six years, but here’s a shortlist: Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center, Ocean Connectors, and the Fleet Science Center; Art of Elan, David’s Harp Foundation, Rock n Roll Camp for Girls SD, and the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory; the SD Creative Youth Development Network; Second Chance of San Diego; SBCS; and so many more.
While there are dozens of powerful partnerships to acknowledge, there are hundreds of individuals who’ve touched my life in growing as a leader and who’ve made the experience of ARTS richer for their involvement. I’ll be forever grateful to all of you.
As I sign off, please don’t let this announcement lead you to think that ARTS is slowing down for even a second. We have a full season of Community ARTS, ARTS@Work, ARTS 4 Justice, and ARTS On Campus programs rolling out in the spring, with more awe-inspiring works of creativity and imagination coming soon to public parks, school campuses, and the exhibition spaces at the ARTS Center.
I look forward to what the future holds for ARTS, to remaining connected to the work of Creative Youth Development, to the growth of arts and culture in our region, and to staying in touch with all of you.
Happy Holidays,
James Halliday
Thank you for joining me and ARTS in this crucial work. I will continue in my position till the end of the year, working closely with the board and our team to put in place the pieces for a fluid transition. The Board of Directors has formed a search committee, and they’re excited to meet candidates for the role of Executive Director & CEO.
Please find details about the role and the search process here:
