What Is Arts Alive?
Arts Alive is the presenting entity of the Tillett Foundation Inc., whose home is Tillett Gardens. On an ongoing basis, Arts Alive annually presents Arts and Crafts Festivals, Classical Music Competitions for young people and the Classics in the Garden in Tillett Gardens.
What Is Tillett Foundation?
A not for profit 501 (c) (3) corporation registered in the Virgin Islands in 1981. The name is used for government registration and all legal matters.
How Is The Foundation Funded?
Concert tickets and festival fees do not cover expenses. Corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, arts endowment awards, and individual contributions help to cover the shortfall.
Who Has Oversight For Arts Alive Presentations?
The Board of Directors’ current members are:
| Eric Tillett | President – Land developer |
| Dr. Lawarence Benjamin | Co-Chair – Retired educator, director of Caribbean Chorale |
| Stephen Danesi | Owner & operator of Jack’s Restaurant, music producer |
| Paul Davis | Owner & operator of Natural Food Grocery & Deli |
| Douglas Dick | Attorney for Department of Justice, local radio host |
| William Grogan | Music producer, manager of catering business |
| Priscilla Hintz | Founder & president of ArtVI Advocates, Sales Manager, Marketing & Public Relations Officer for Trans-Caribbean Dairy, Corp. |
| Madlon Jenkins | Owner of Madlon Group, Real Estate Appraisal, Consulting and Assessment Company |
| Addie Ottley | WSTA radio personality & station owner, WTJX television talk show host |
| Daniel Silber | Musician |
| Kellie Tillett | Owner & president of Drucker & Falk Real Estate |
| Pauline Watts | Co-Chair – Retired guidance counselor, 15 year member of Caribbean Chorale |
| Lynn Berry | Executive Director – Artist & owner of Ridvan Studio, board member of ArtVI Advocates |
What Is The Mission Of Arts Alive?
To present the best in visual and performance art in the Virgin Islands and to involve and encourage young people in the appreciation, study, and performance and exhibition of fine music and visual arts.
What Has Arts Alive Presented Since Its Beginning In 1981?
Art in the Garden, Arts & Crafts Festivals
The Art in the Garden, Arts and Crafts Festivals which have showcased the work of more than 2000 local artists and artisans and more than 250 local musicians. The Festivals have also featured innumerable special performance presentations including puppet shows, tap, ballet and modern dance; drumming, fencing, the martial arts and meditative arts, aerobics, fashion shows along with demonstrations and workshops for children and adults.
Concerts
Classical concerts and non-classical concerts a total of more than 90 performances of the finest music performed by internationally acclaimed musicians in a variety of genres. Examples are: Tom Chapin, David Bromberg, The Kennedys, Ruthie Foster, Chee Yun, The Ahn Trio, Corky Seigel, Tom Rush, Richard Rodney Bennet and the Copenhagen Chamber Ensemble.
We are pleased with the consistently high standard of the artists we have attracted to our concerts. The artists enjoy visiting our island and we have had several repeat performances, Awadagin Pratt, The Ahn Trio, Ruthie Foster and Joy Cline have each made two or more appearances.
An interesting point is that the artists themselves talk about their experiences with their peers and as Concerts in the Garden series progressed from year to year we were increasingly approached by artists who had heard of the concerts and wished to be considered for selection here.
Our board selects artists based on feedback we get from our loyal audiences as to the instruments and line-ups, which they like. The board meets at the end of each season to review the success of each concert and to consider what to put on the following year. Solo piano is always popular but duos and trios with a variety of instruments are always included in each season in order to provide variety. This season for example, we will have Ashu performing classical saxophone.
We cooperate with neighboring islands and most of the Classics performances held at Tillett Gardens go on to St. John, St. Croix and Tortola. This enables a wider audience to enjoy these performances and also allows us to share some of the costs of the performances.
Costs
These concerts cost an average of $5000 each. We are fortunate that we have a number of generous sponsors who have consistently supported the concerts over the years.
Major Generous Grantors and Sponsors (Past and Present)
National Endowment of the Arts
Virgin Islands Council on the Arts
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
Windward Passage Hotel
Sugar Bay Resort and Spa
Romano’s Restaurant
Ritz-Carlton Hotel
American Airlines
Posser ICC Foundation
Heineken
Birch deJongh Hindels & Hall
ISW Studios
Ackley Media Group
Global Financial Strategies, LLC
Peter & Patricia Gruber Foundation
Virgin Islands Council on the Arts (VICA) has been there for us from the beginning and we are very grateful for its continued and genorous support. This combination of financial help and donations from our loyal patrons enables us to keep the ticket prices to what we hope is an affordable level and bridge the gap between the income from ticket sales and the actual costs. The mission of the board is to provide access to art; we are not a profit making organization.
We could also not do these concerts without the help of a number of volunteers who help with the many logistical details involved in staging these concerts.
What Is Ahead For Arts Alive?
The Board wishes to continue and expand these fine programs and add others. The long rang goals of the foundation are to give every child in the Virgin Islands the opportunity to hear good music and to meet successful musicians who can be an example of what is possible in a musical career. The board is also in the planning stages of reviving the Classical Music competition for students.
Arts Alive needs sponsorship for the infrastructure as well as for presenting costs.
The Arts Alive board is ready for new and fresh ideas.
Arts Alive is here to serve the Virgin Islands Community.
How Can I Help Arts Alive?
Be a volunteer
We need ushers for concerts, distributors for our marketing materials and posters. We are also looking for a professional or gifted fundraiser. We are always pleased to have new, hard working, board members.
“Rhoda’s Circle” – Be a Season Ticket Holder
This year all season subscribers will automatically become a member of “Rhoda’s Circle” which gives them the exclusive opportunity to reserve their seats. All single ticket buyers will be i the open seating area. Dinner reservations will continue as before with reserved tables.
Become a Sponsor
Any amount of $1000 or more will give you special privileges.
Contact
340.776.8566
Lynn Berry, Executive Director
