Happy Birthday Events

In 2024, Jacoby Arts Center is celebrating our 20th anniversary. Sugar-coating things can distort and make a message unclear, so let me be transparent: Jacoby Arts Center has been through its share of highs and lows, including a lot of transitions and inflection points over the past 20 years. We’ve come through these ups and downs together with all of you to solidify Jacoby as a jewel of the community, and the anchor for the emerging Jacoby Arts & Innovation District. Today, we are continuing to grow and thrive, and it’s entirely thanks to you – our community and local artists!

In the late summer of 2018, I was invited by an officer of the Board to submit my resume and application to join the Board of Directors at Jacoby Arts Center, an organization I was aware of, but knew little about. I did so, and by that fall, I was accepted as a member of the Board. When the end of 2018 came, the Board voted to elect me as Treasurer, a role that I served in from late 2018 until the summer of 2023, when I became President of the Board, the role I currently serve in.
In case we haven’t met, I was born at Alton Memorial Hospital, grew up as a young boy in Bethalto, moved to Godfrey just before my 10th birthday, and graduated from Alton High School. I am a Redbird, Trailblazer, Billiken, and a Cougar. I have vivid memories of the old Clark Bridge and working and volunteering in downtown Alton during the flood of ’93. I bought my first house just off of State Street. My family history
includes employment by Laclede Steel, the refinery (under various names over the years), Franklin Bicycle Shop, and Godfrey Meat Market, to name a few. I grew up here, my family lives here, this is my community.

I’d like to take this opportunity to invite you to join us in celebrating our 20th anniversary as a member of the community. We have a lot planned for 2024, as we look to exponentially increase our engagement with all of you, and share more about who we are, while we continue learning more about each of you. I am so genuinely excited about the events, games, prizes, giveaways, contests, and a couple of really big surprises we’ve already planned for you, as we celebrate this 20th year milestone together. It’s going to be an
exciting year, so be sure to stay updated with what’s going on by connecting with us on social media and visiting us online at www.JacobyArtsCenter.org. (Pay especially close attention on the 20th of each month!)

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for this opportunity to help lead an organization that has been engaging imaginations and enriching lives for 20 years. We are all looking forward to celebrating with you throughout 2024.

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With excitement & sincerest gratitude,

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- Dathan Brooks, MBA
President, Jacoby Arts Center Board of Directors