EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S NOTE

EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR'SNOTE

For the first time in my tenure, our HEART felt like it had a steady rhythm again. The studio was full of people, artwork, and laughter. We were venturing back out into the world to see new places and try new things. And the biggest hurdle of them all - we were back on the Charleston Music Hall stage with a new show which we wrote and produced ourselves. We were Stella, and we had our groove back.

It cannot be overstated how much hard work and perseverance it took from the HEARTists, staff, and volunteers to make it all possible. While we were excited and ready to take off running again, the economic environment around us wasn't necessarily ready to return to its previous levels of support. Regardless of its commercial definition, we defined ourselves as a success. We created shows, events, productions - experiencesthat were uniquely HEART. I am so deeply proud of the quality and creativity that everyone infused into everything HEART accomplished in 2022.

It continues to be a struggle to garner financial support and public recognition the likes of which we saw before The Great Pause. That's to be expected. The way we move forward is the same as we have before - by continuing to produce excellent work. Continuing to seek out exciting, accessible experiences. Carving out space for ourselves in the arts world. Doing what we love most.

Creating our own happiness.

We've never stopped believing in ourselves and trusting the work that we do together in the HEART Studio. We keep going. We keep putting ourselves out there, showing the world what we can do with some creativity and a lot of dedication from the whole team.

With HEART, Sisi

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2023

Our Board of Directors, as always, is integral in connecting us with the broader community and promoting financial sustainability for HEART. This year, we add new faces to our dedicated volunteer directors.

Sam Hines (Chair)

HEART Parent, Law Partner

Rae Weekes (Secretary)

Assistant Director / Volunteer Coordinator

HEART Inclusive Arts Community

Sloan Todd

Executive Director, Event Planner

Pathfinders, LLC & Catch the Leprechaun 5k Run

Beth Wolf, MD

Medical Director, HIM, Physician Consultant

Roper St Francis, 3M

Amy Hatten

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

SC Commission for the Blind

Paula Yorke

Real Estate Broker, Realtor of Distinction

William Means Real Estate, Christie's International

HEART continues seeking to add to its volunteer Board of Directors and is opening its search to interested candidates from the whole of our Lowcountry community. There is no greater asset to the success of an organization than diversity of thought, ideas, experience, and backgrounds within its leadership. Therefore it is critical that HEART Inclusive Arts Community elect Directors from the widest array of interested candidates possible, beginning with an open and public call to any member of the community interested in sharing their time with HEART. “Inclusive” is part of our name for a reason, and we welcome all applicants of any identity - ability, gender, race, age, culture, and more. Nominations and elections will be made in consideration of the applications or survey responses received from the community.

MISSION AND VISION

HEART Inclusive Arts Community provides visual arts, music, dance, and performing arts mentorships and community engagement for adults with disabilities who want to grow and develop as artists. At HEART, we have created a center where artists of all abilities work together to create something that enriches the community.

HEART, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a creative and adventurous family of artists, performers, and allaround creative misfits! We provide inclusive music, art, dance, and theatre experiences to connect adults with disabilities and their communities.

Since 2014, we have helped member HEARTists experience many of the same things we all want in life -- freedom of expression, lasting relationships, community support, acceptance, higher self-esteem, and a sense of accomplishment, purpose, and meaning.