From: James F. Tune, President & CEO, ArtsFund

September 15, 2006

Mr. Skip Rowley
Chairman of the Board
Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE)
P.O. Box 828
Bellevue, WA 98004

Dear Skip:

During the last few months, I have had an opportunity to review in some detail the designs and planning for the Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE) and to discuss its importance with a number of the performing arts groups in the region, such as the Bellevue Philharmonic, that are supported by ArtsFund. I enthusiastically endorse the development of PACE as a new world-class venue for professional performing arts that will serve not just the Eastside but the entire region.

The growing number of high quality performing arts groups in the region and our steadily increasing population and population density throughout the metropolitan area really demand the creation of a new performing arts center. Having a new performing arts center of the stature and quality of PACE will help ArtsFund spread its message to a broader audience:

The arts are vital to the health of the community, and PACE will be a prominent and visible reminder to all that the arts are alive and flourishing on the Eastside and in the region.
The Puget Sound arts community is impressive in its diversity and size, and PACE will provide an exciting, world-class venue for artistic expression.
Arts organizations supported by ArtsFund provide a wealth of arts education and outreach programs to children, families and teachers, all of whom will benefit from the expanded performance, classroom and rehearsal space that PACE will offer.
As ArtsFund increases its support for nonprofit arts organizations in King and Pierce Counties, PACE will provide for expanded audiences in the increasingly densely populated Eastside.

PACE will be an outstanding ally for ArtsFund and performing arts organization in the region, and I see a mutually beneficial relationship between PACE and ArtsFund that will benefit the entire region. Please accept this letter as evidence of my support for the project.

Very truly yours,

James F. Tune
President & CEO
ArtsFund