June 2024

Dear Supporters and Friends of the Newport Art Museum,

I am delighted to share with you our vision for the future, the Newport Art Museum 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, Creative Campus: Building an Inclusive Artistic Community.

Our strategic plan is not just a roadmap; it’s a source of inspiration, illuminating the path toward a vibrant and inclusive artistic community. As we look ahead, our mission remains clear: to create spaces where the past and present converge, offering transformative experiences for all.

We are dedicated to securing our future by nurturing fiscal balance, prioritizing the visitor experience, championing artist-driven initiatives, and increasing our brand awareness. But beyond the strategies and objectives lies a deeper purpose—a commitment to fostering connections, celebrating diversity, and enriching lives through art.

I extend my sincere gratitude to NAM Trustee, Kim Cummins, for her invaluable expertise and support in guiding the plan. Additionally, I want to express appreciation to the strategic planning committee members and staff who have played integral roles in shaping NAM’s core values and exploring its legacy, strengths, and potential. Thank you to Bill Bagwill, Brendan O’Donnell, Barbara Schoenfeld, Ellie Harrison Voorhees, Ellen Bowman, Elizabeth Brooks, Erik Saarmaa, and Rupert Nesbitt. I am also deeply grateful to the members of staff who helped co-shape the Museum’s core values: Chris Capone, Cristin Searles Bilodeau, Brandon Taylor Miller, Dr. Francine Weiss, Pilar Forest, Danny Lulu, Ami Hansen, and Emilia Sywolski. It has been a true privilege to explore NAM’s legacy, strengths, and potential with individuals who care for it so deeply.

NAM’s success is rooted in its dedication to reflection, adaptability, embracing a growth mindset, and its unwavering commitment to the ever-expanding community of members, supporters, and stakeholders. A heartfelt thank you to all who participated in the Museum’s Community Engagement Survey and Community Engagement Committee Meetings, challenging our team to explore and reaffirm the significance of leveraging our historical legacy while fostering inclusivity among our diverse community.

Inspired by our collective vision and fueled by our commitment to connecting inclusively through the arts, let’s forge ahead, anchored by confidence in our ability to cultivate a future where creativity thrives and our community flourishes, with the Newport Art Museum as its dynamic campus.

– Danielle Ogden, Executive Director