Imagine our Future at The 2022 Waterfall Dinner
July 30th at Waterfall Park
Dear Friends of Nordo,
Many of you have been our loyal members, some since our inception in 2009. You’ve seen us transform from a devil-may-care upstart in the back of a chocolate factory, to a respected Seattle arts institution with two venues, to a company dedicated to surviving the gravest era theaters have faced in memory. We survived by relying on our creativity and grit…two of the most fundamental characteristics of Nordo.
I would say this year looks very different, but the truth is no two years at Nordo have ever looked the same. What is joyful and unique about Nordo is the perpetual pushing of boundaries. We know things could always be more beautiful, more transporting, more surprising, and we stay in relentless pursuit of wonder.
This year we are dedicated to re-imagining what Nordo can be. Sustainability in all of its meanings is our charge. We are looking to change our model to address the following questions:
How do we create a model that includes a sustainable quality of life for artists and staff? Nordo has always prided ourselves on paying better than most arts orgs of our size (and bigger.) However, we can no longer pretend that pay is reasonable in a city with costs rising as quickly as Seattle’s. We must find a way to pay our incredibly talented team enough to stay here, with us, as their needs and families grow.
What part can we play in rebuilding our city? How can we anchor Nordo with a year-round sustainable presence of the highest quality experience? For a city with a reputation for arts innovation there is no homegrown permanent immersive experience. Can Nordo be this, only more delicious?
How can we better sustain our community? How do we continue to expand our partnerships with local growers and makers to keep shrinking our footprint on the planet, and introduce our audiences to their gifts?
As usual, we’ve got big ideas. I mean really, really big ideas. Seeds are starting to be planted, but they need much more time in the ground before they sprout. This summer we hope you will help us make it rain.
On July 30 we will kick off a month of giving with our Waterfall Dinner, with opportunities to add our signature auction experiences to your ticket. We will also make our big announcements about what the future holds, launching a campaign to raise the first $70,000 towards the future of Nordo. The campaign will run through the end of the summer, with a huge blow-out BBQ on August 27 to celebrate the future. Fancy fundraiser first, boot stomping bash for supporters of all levels later.
-Erin