A letter from Esther

published: July 30, 2024

Dear Friends,

In 2002 I took a leap of faith that I have never regretted into the position of Executive Director at what was then called The Three Arts Club of Chicago. Founded in 1912, with a history focused on women artists and tended to by countless remarkable women leaders over time, I guessed rightly that I was embarking on the experience of a lifetime.

The faith part of my leap entered almost immediately into the picture during my first few days on the job when a ceiling in our landmark building at 1300 N. Dearborn Parkway caved in, and it became viscerally apparent that something had to change—and quickly. The path forward involved artists and a whole bunch of generous arts and civic leaders who helped us find our way as we explored the possibilities. To tell you the whole story would take days and several pots of coffee. Let me just say that we set sail on a labor of love and care, grounded in our history, that led to today’s 3Arts, an organization that has evolved its support of Chicago’s extraordinary artists every year since then.

I am getting ready to leap again, this time to discover what my own next chapter might be. I anticipate leaving my position at 3Arts in early 2025, after a thoughtful transition period and after more than two decades dedicated to supporting artists as they embrace creative risks, experiment, and generate brilliance everywhere they go. I am taking their lead, in a modest way, by composing my future with a commitment to exploration, continued work in the arts, and the pursuit of my own creative practices.

We dreamed 3Arts into existence long ago and are more than ready to dream it into its future now. The 3Arts team is admirable, the board is visionary, our programs are deeply rooted, we have a newly minted strategic plan to guide us, and our organization is poised for a smooth leadership transition. A Transition Committee has been formed and is working with an experienced consultant to chart the course ahead. Stay tuned!

This is the part where words fail me. It is not hyperbolic to say that my heart belongs to 3Arts. That is the plain truth. I will never stop cheering our organization on and applauding the artists whose revelations pave the way for all of us. They are the true center of 3Arts, and it has always been a profound joy and great honor to serve on their behalf.

With love and gratitude,

Esther