Dear Friends,

When I arrived at The Center for Arts in Natick as a volunteer more than two decades ago, I could never have imagined what this place would come to mean to me — or what it would grow into for our community.

TCAN has never been just a building or a schedule of events. It has been a gathering place. A room where strangers become neighbors, where artists take risks, where stories are shared and something intangible happens in the space between the stage and the seats. To have been entrusted with the care of that space for so many years has been the privilege of my professional life.

Along the way, I’ve had the good fortune to work with an extraordinary group of people — staff members who give far more than their job descriptions require, volunteers who bring heart and dedication to every event, board members who have offered guidance through both calm waters and real challenges, and patrons whose loyalty has sustained this organization through moments none of us will ever forget. You have built TCAN. It was my great honor to help guide it from a promising but precarious beginning into the vibrant nonprofit arts organization it is today.

As many of you know, this new year marks a transition for me as I step out of the Executive Director role and into a part-time position as Strategic Advisor, while Erin Basile assumes leadership of TCAN. I cannot imagine a better person to guide this organization forward. Erin brings vision, intelligence, integrity, and a deep love for both artists and audiences. TCAN’s future is in thoughtful, capable hands.

I am still close by — cheering from the wings, lending support where helpful, and remaining deeply connected to a community that has shaped so much of my life.

In recent weeks, a number of people have reached out to ask how they might make a gift in recognition of this transition. I am profoundly grateful for that kindness. For those who feel moved to do so, TCAN has created an Innovation Fund — a way to invest directly in the future of our programming, artist relationships, and the tools and professional development that help our staff deliver the exceptional experiences you expect. Information about the Innovation Fund is available on our website.

Thank you for the trust you have placed in me, for the moments we have shared, and for the countless memories created inside these walls. TCAN’s story continues — and its best chapters are still to be written.

With heartfelt appreciation,
David Lavalley
Executive Director