OUR LEADERSHIP

Click below to read a message from our Executive Director

Charlie Reinhart was a visionary who never lost his sense of awe for great art. 

The first time we met in person, I asked if he was a dancer. He said “no”. I remarked, “It’s pretty impressive you devoted your entire life to modern dance without being a modern dancer yourself. How’d that come to be?” Charlie gazed into the distance and was clearly moved at the memories of the phenomenal dance he’d witnessed in his life. “I was just so awestruck by what these dancers could do and what the choreographers could imagine. I knew I needed to devote myself to their art.” 

Charlie was regularly awestruck – by dancers and artists, of course, but also by the way art brings people together. He was also awestruck by the success and reach of the AARP (American Association for Retired Persons) and how it established a national membership organization that changed the narrative around senior citizens. No longer were they just forgotten “old people”. With the help of the AARP, senior citizens became prioritized by elected leaders at the local, state, and national levels. 

This was the inspiration for 4A Arts: a national membership organization changing the narrative around creativity. 

Throughout the years I was lucky to work with him, Charlie and I touched base twice a week. I kept him abreast of our developments, our pivots, our strategic plans, and our aspirations. Across the arc of those hundreds of check-ins, Charlie reminded me the key to our success is the emotional connection between a cultural institution and its audience. 

That has been the basis of our work: the emotional connection created by artists, institutions, artworks…and the audience. It is our guiding light in our effort to change the narrative around American arts, culture, design, and craft from an after-thought left to beg for scraps to being a leading industry that strengthens communities, grows economies, and makes life more meaningful. 

In Charlie’s own words: 

Hi friends, fellow artists, and audience members. Welcome to 4A Arts.

Having made my career in the arts, I ardently believe that artists and audiences are the economic engine of small towns and big cities in all fifty states. But I consistently observed that public investment in the arts and culture was abysmally low compared to its myriad contributions to society, the economy, and everyday life.

So why, I wondered, isn’t there a dedicated, member-based movement working directly on behalf of artists and audiences to elevate the role and regard of the arts and culture in our country, and ensure they receive equitable public investment and representation at the state, local, and federal levels?

I firmly believe that nothing spurs the American economy like creativity and nothing spurs American creativity like the arts. I hope you’ll join this movement and get involved. Nothing less than the soul of America is at stake.

Charlie Reinhart

Founding Director, 4A Arts