6 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE Over the past quarter century, Piper Trust has invested more than $725 million in local nonprofits and programs — including the arts. The Trust invests in arts organizations because they do much more than entertain. As you will see in these pages, they bring together, strengthen, challenge, uplift and provide a totally different way of looking at ourselves. And along the way, they contribute to individual well-being, improved educational outcomes, community cohesion and a healthy economy. That’s a lot of lifting! So, happy 25 th anniversary to Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, with thanks for supporting community, culture and the greater good. And cheers to our local arts and culture community as we embark on the exciting season ahead. Break a leg! David Hemphill, the cover star of our Arts & Culture Issue, has been leading the Black Theatre Troupe for 31 years as it collects accolades as one of the most enduring and celebrated Black theater organizations in the country. And with its 55 th season starting this fall, we couldn’t wait to hear what they’re doing to prepare. Hemphill strides the stage by day but his professional experience includes early stints at IBM and the Arizona Department of Revenue. “I have the heart for it, and the business acumen to do it,” he said about leading the nonprofit. Black Theatre Troupe’s devoted fans would say that he’s right. At the Heard Museum, they’re also thinking about getting it right — it in this case being inclusiveness for the community. As Tom Evans reports, people want to see their own lives, families and cultures represented in art, but also learn about others. At the Heard, in-house events are emerging as a key way to do that. Meanwhile, Julie Coleman reports on the much-needed catharsis theater is offering young people in our community. As she writes, Childsplay has long tackled difficult subjects like depression, teen suicide and AIDS. Now it is exploring how it can develop more immersive theater programs to help young minds imagine new worlds. The president of Creighton University is so serious about the value of art that every floor of the Phoenix Health Sciences campus has commissioned works to reinforce the value of humanities and the arts. These vibrant, wildly different organizations are seizing the moment with the help of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. One of the largest private foundations in Arizona, the Trust is celebrating its 25 th anniversary this year. It partnered with Frontdoors on this special issue to celebrate the new arts season and the impact of these one-of-a-kind organizations. EDITOR’S NOTE KAREN WERNER EDITOR IN CHIEF Karen Opening Act

Partnering with the community for 25 years to enrich health, well-being, and opportunity for the people of Maricopa County. pipertrust.org © 2024 Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Celebrating 25 years of #PiperTrustMoments