Support George Eastman House
You may have heard the recent announcement that Museum Director Tony Bannon will retire as of August 1, 2012, after 16 years at its helm. Tony has been the face of George Eastman House longer than any director in the Museum’s history.
During his tenure, Tony has worked tirelessly to create programs of advanced education in collaboration with other institutions, to center George Eastman House as a community resource, and to raise the profile of the Museum in the international arena. In doing this, he has advanced the Museum by multiplying the number of its traveling exhibitions, creating a strong publication program, and inaugurating online accessibility of the Museum’s unparalleled collections and expertise.
Along with an amazingly talented staff, he has served as a leader for exhibitions using his network to prompt ideas for new and exciting ways to showcase our collections.
Tony’s responsibility as chief fundraiser has been a daunting task, especially in an economic era that has seen significant nationwide declines in corporate, government, and foundation support. Indeed, it is not an overstatement to say that, on his watch, the Museum’s financial future has been completely reshaped. Along the way, he has helped the George Eastman House team pull the proverbial rabbit out of its hat more times than we can count, always coming up with new and innovative ideas for raising the funds necessary to maintain and grow a museum of this stature.
Tony has been the dean of our academic programs and our guiding visionary, following in the footsteps of that great businessman and philanthropist George Eastman himself. Recognizing this legacy, he has been a catalyst for change as we moved into the 21st century and a new era of social media and digital access.
Tony has embraced his role as ardent advocate for the Museum. He has promoted George Eastman House tirelessly in his efforts to enhance its impact on both national and international levels.
This is a legacy that deserves both applause and appropriate recognition. In my view, an essential part of acknowledging Tony’s impressive legacy is to offer you the opportunity to build upon it by donating to the 2011 Year-End Appeal in his honor. In difficult economic times, institutions such as George Eastman House grow increasingly dependent on the generosity of their closest friends, and we count you among that number. Your contribution to the Annual Fund will help us meet the daunting operating expenses of today as well as create sustainability for the Museum. Tony has led George Eastman House both in terms of envisioning its future and placing the Museum on the firm foundation that allows us to look with confidence to that future.
No gift is too small — or, for that matter, too large — to show your confidence and respect for the tremendous leadership that Tony Bannon has provided to George Eastman House. You can make your donation today by returning the enclosed reply form with your gift. Or go online and donate through our secure website at www.eastmanhouse.org.
Your participation is key to bringing us to a successful year-end closure and to beginning a fitting “farewell and thank you” to the tireless efforts of Tony Bannon over an amazing sixteen years.
I know that Tony will be both honored and humbled by your support.
Gratefully,
Thomas H. Jackson Chair, Board of Trustees
P.S. We have been heartened throughout this past year by the response of the Museum’s ardent supporters. If you have already made a gift to us in 2011, I thank you again for your generosity and ask you to consider further investment in the future of our George Eastman House by contributing to this special Fund.