September 12, 2012 Mr. Jeffrey Mirel Albany Barn, Inc. PO Box 10261 Albany, NY 12201 Dear Mr.

Mirel: On behalf of the Albany Roundtable, I am delighted to inform you that Albany Barn, Inc. has been selected to receive our New Patroon award for 2012. We applaud your efforts to cultivate support for regional artists and to develop a permanent, sustainable 21st Century creative arts incubator and community art center in Albany. The Albany Roundtable established its Good Patroon Award 1988 to celebrate outstanding contributions to the community by institutions and individuals. While the Good Patroon Award has traditionally honored organizations and individuals with a long record of service to the community, the Roundtable launched its New Patroon Award in 2011 to highlight and encourage the work of newer organizations. Since 2006, the visionaries behind Albany Barn have been developing new opportunities for creative artists while leveraging artistic activity to spur neighborhood revitalization and engage at-risk youth. As author Richard Florida wrote, Every single human being is creative. Economic growth is driven by creativity, so if we want to increase it, we have to tap into the creativity of everyone. Albany Barn is dedicated to creating a place for artists, neighborhood residents and the public alike to create, collaborate, present and explore, particularly those who cannot afford or otherwise access such space and services. In doing so, Albany Barn is fostering a more vibrant and sustainable city. We are delighted to honor you and Albany Barn with the New Patroon award. Congratulations! The award will be presented at the Albany Roundtables first luncheon of the 2012-2013 season, on Wednesday, October 10th. We are pleased to continue to meet at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. I hope you will be able to attend the luncheon as our guest. The luncheon buffet runs from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. with the program starting at 12:30. After the call to order, I will introduce you and say a few words about your accomplishments. At that point, we will call you forward to receive your award, and invite you to make brief remarks.

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Ill draft a news release for local media outlining the New Patroon program and providing a description of your award-winning efforts. If you would be kind enough to review and approve, Ill send it out to the press and the Roundtables email list. Should you wish to invite any of your friends, clients, staff, Albany Barn members or supporters to attend on October 10, the cost of the luncheon is $20 per person, which may be paid at the door. This year, the Roundtable is also offering its guests the option of paying in advance with a credit card at www.albanyroundtable.com . The University Club will serve a hot and cold buffet lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the program commencing at 12:30. Reservations for the October 10 luncheon are required by Tuesday, October 9 and may be made by prepaying online, by calling 518-431-1400 (the Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce) or by sending an e-mail to albanyroundtable@yahoo.com. Additional information about the Albany Roundtable is available at www.albanyroundtable.blogspot.com . If you have any questions or wish to discuss the New Patroon award further, please call me directly at 518-428-9348. Ill look forward to seeing you on October 10 if not before, and again, congratulations! Sincerely,

Colleen M. Ryan President Albany Roundtable

cc: Al DeSalvo, Chair, Patroon Award Committee