Be in the Moment
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Be in the moment. 2016 Annual Report Open your mind. Contents Fiscal Year 2016 / July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016 For 45 years, the Rothko Chapel has been a beloved and internationally Program Engagement 5 Expanding the Chapel’s Reach 10 recognized Houston landmark. Rothko Chapel in Medellín, Colombia The Rothko Chapel inspires people to Interfaith Outreach Mark Rothko: A Retrospective action through art and contemplation, Chapel Guild nurtures reverence for the highest Communications By the Numbers 14 aspirations of humanity, and provides Financials Chapel Visitors a forum for global concerns. The Guided Group Visits Chapel is a sacred space that supports Volunteer Hours Our Supporters 16 human rights and is a rallying place In 2015–16, more than Planning for the Future 18 100,000 people from People Behind the Rothko Chapel 20 for all who are concerned with peace 98 countries visited the Chapel, and more than and freedom throughout the world. 9,000 participated in its educational, cultural, and spiritual programs. rothkochapel.org | 1 Dear Friends — On behalf of the Rothko Chapel, we extend our deepest appreciation for the great generosity shown this year in support of the Chapel’s mission to engage the human spirit and our community through art, spirituality and the promotion of human rights. We are grateful to the hundreds of From the Chapel’s visitor comment book: individual and institutional donors who ensure that the Rothko Chapel is open every day of the year—free of charge. The Chapel invites people from all backgrounds and walks of life to discover how best to address “On the 1st of August 2016 I started a the diverse and complex needs in the world around us in ways that journey on my bicycle from NYC to enhance mutual respect, understanding and collective action. In order to meet the needs of the increasing number of program participants and Houston, TX just to see the Chapel. visitors to the Chapel, we launched two very exciting initiatives in 2015-16. The first is a new communications plan that includes a more interactive website and social media I could have flown here but figured it presence, allowing us to expand our outreach and foster conversations both within, and would be a good journey. It certainly far beyond, the Houston metropolitan area. The second is the initiation of our site develop- ment masterplan. This planning process will yield critical Chapel interior improvements and was. Today is the 25th of August and campus renovations that will enhance the visitor experience, while allowing us to fulfill the stewardship of the art entrusted to our care. As a first initiative, Barnett Newman’s I have been in the Chapel for about Broken Obelisk was removed in January 2016 from the plaza and transported to the 2 hours or so. As an artist and quite a original foundry for conservation that should ensure its vibrancy for years to come. The Chapel’s public outreach featured significant programs that spoke to diverse spiritual person and considering the viewpoints and multicultural experiences including our Spring Symposium on income journey I made to get here I wanted inequality; the annual celebration of the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which explored the relationship of hip hop to Dr. King’s message of social change and equity; to laugh & cry. I meditated and drew and the 2015 Óscar Romero Award, which recognized two courageous, Honduran grass- roots human rights activists. Sadly, one of the honorees—Berta Cáceres—was murdered in in my sketch book. Thank you, words March in Honduras. The Rothko Chapel became the sacred space in Houston where people gathered to mourn her loss and honor her life’s work. Throughout the year, we also hosted cannot quite describe.” — Tom numerous meditations, concerts and interreligious gatherings that collectively engaged and nourished many facets of the human spirit. As in years past, the Chapel was the site for numerous weddings, memorial services and other life cycle events that bear witness to the significance of this cherished space for Houstonians. As detailed in this report, the Rothko Chapel continues to be a spiritually imbued sacred space where peace, justice and the highest aspirations of humankind are lifted up and cul- tivated daily. We thank you for your support and look forward to our future work together. Sincerely, Christopher Rothko David Leslie Chair Executive Director 2 rothkochapel.org | 3 Program Engagement Throughout the 2015–16 season, the Rothko Chapel presented a wide range of programs that invited dialogue, reflection and action on the world’s most pressing issues. Our programs are occasions for individual and collective introspection and exploration of the sacred, and create contexts for investigating the interplay between art, spirituality, and human rights. Our public programs included discussions with community leaders, writers, poets and artists; concerts and spoken word performances; guided meditations; and yoga and tai chi. 4 rothkochapel.org | 5 Highlights Berta Cáceres 2015 Óscar Romero Award recipients Berta Cáceres (left) and Vigil for Berta Cáceres, March 4, 2016 Miriam Miranda (right) with board chair Christopher Rothko. “We don’t want to be martyrs, we don’t want any more “…I refuse to go into exile. I am martyrs in this country, but we also have the historical In the weeks leading up to the a human rights fighter and November 12, 2015 Award cere- responsibility to show that we have the right to build a mony, the Rothko Chapel present- I will not give up this fight.” —Berta Cáceres better world. And we can’t run away from that responsibility.” ed a series of programs investi- gating the challenges and perils ______ —Miriam Miranda of advocating for indigenous human rights. On the day before Tragically on March 2, 2016, Berta 2015 Óscar Romero Award the Award ceremony, Miranda and Cáceres was assassinated in Cáceres had a moderated conver- her hometown of La Esperanza, The biennial Óscar Romero Award recognizes sation with Univision news anchor Intibuca, Honduras. Cáceres’ life courageous grassroots human rights advocacy. Raú Peimbert. The program in was under constant threat, as The award is named after Archbishop Óscar Romero Spanish with simultaneous inter- were the lives of many other of San Salvador, who was murdered in 1980 because pretation was presented at Baker indigenous leaders in Honduras, of his work advocating for the poor of El Salvador. Ripley Neighborhood Center. yet she made clear that she would The theme for the 2015 Award was “Listening to not stop her advocacy for human Voices Not Silenced” and Honduran indigenous rights rights and justice. The Chapel activists, Miriam Miranda and Berta Cáceres, shared hosted a vigil to honor her life and the award. witness on her birthday March 4. 6 rothkochapel.org | 7 “Still Dreaming” in honor of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday 2016 Spring Symposium Last year, the Chapel offered 50 events and programs attended On January 15, 2016 we hosted “Confronting Inequality: Alternative our annual program honoring Economies, Resilient Communities” by more than 9,000 individuals. the life and legacy of Dr. King. was the theme of the symposium The program was moderated by held from March 31 to April 3, 2016. Dr. Aundrea Matthews, Professor, Speakers addressed strategies and Lone Star College, and featured tactics to eliminate economic in- artist Toni Blackman, hip hop equality through creative, effective artists David Banner and Bun and equitable economic policies B, and Rice University Professor and programs. Author, conserva- Anthony Pinn. In addition to the tionist, and activist Terry Tempest conversation inside the Chapel, Williams opened the symposium, the program included a cypher in which academic professionals, on the plaza featuring local hip community activists, religious hop artists. More than 320 leaders, and artists also took part. people attended. 8 rothkochapel.org | 9 Expanding the Chapel’s Reach Rothko Chapel in meditative space (inclusive of a Interfaith Outreach Baha’i, Christian traditions and Medellín, Colombia photo mural, benches, meditation interfaith organizations came rugs/cushions, and sacred texts) During the year, Chapel repre- together to celebrate collective In the fall of 2015 the Rothko and an educational space (fea- sentatives visited numerous faith, efforts over the past year and Chapel was invited by the Museo turing the Chapel’s history via a cultural and service organizations imagine possibilities for the future. de Arte Moderno de Medellín looping video, floorplan, and an around Houston to learn about Throughout the year numerous to participate in a new exhibi- interactive 360 video projection the important work being done faith leaders led meditations tion titled De Lo Espiritual En and Google cardboard glasses around the greater Houston area and teachings at the Chapel, El Arte. Obertura (Concerning for a virtual experience). During and to explore opportunities for representing practices such as the Spiritual in Art. Overture) on the course of the exhibit the continued partnership. The visits Shambhala, Quaker, Sikh, Sufi, view from July 20 – September museum curated programs that culminated with the Chapel’s Hindu, Christian, Bon Buddhist, 11, 2016. This exhibition provided offered meditations, lectures and annual Interfaith Breakfast and Jewish, as well as modern medita- the Chapel with the opportuni- concerts. Rothko Chapel director Conversation at the Chapel in tions like Loving Kindness ty to share the essence of the