To the editor:

Kurt Vonnegut Jr. once said, “The arts are a terrible way to make a living, but they are a very human way of making life more bearable.” Having taught at the Lawrence Arts Center, I have seen writing bring adults together in laughter and tears, have seen theater create lifelong friendships and launch impressive careers, and have seen young artists create, dance, play, act, sing, sculpt, write and grow fearlessly and with support. I have nervously counted audience seats as crowds filed in to see their kids perform, to watch their toddlers hop around in adorable grasshopper outfits or listen to another fumbled rendition of “Fur Elise” on piano — but the perfect one because it’s their child playing it.

I grew up with and at the Arts Center. We are both 50 years old this year, and we’re both concerned about our health. I have watched the Arts Center grow from a 60-seat black box theater, four classrooms, and two administrative offices to its current locations and seemingly endless class options. After reading the recent article outlining LAC’s current financial difficulties, I wanted to remind folks what a cornerstone of Lawrence’s values and culture our Arts Center has been. It is easy to armchair quarterback a nonprofit — they should have done this, they didn’t do enough of that, etc. Still, you need only take a class, enroll a child in care or attend a function to realize that there is extraordinary value in their simple, beautiful motto: Art is for Everyone.

How beautiful is that? Please consider joining me in donating, taking classes, supporting programs, speaking out, and even letting the LAC know that, during these difficult times, not only is art for everyone, but everyone is for art.

Will Averill,

Lawrence