b'Dear Friends of the Rothko Chapel,In planning for the next phase of the Chapels future, this year we launched the Rothko Chapel: Beyond 50one of the most comprehensive strategic plans in the Chapels history. This behind the scenes effort addresses growing interest in Chapel visitation and program attendance, and preparations for the expanded campus and mission as the result of the Opening Spaces site development project. The planning process is also driven by our commitment to enhance engagement with critical issues that demonstrate the inherent worth and dignity of all people. To date, we have garnered new insights and suggestions from numerous stakeholders about the Chapels potential areas of increased impact. We look forward to rolling out the plan next year which will be the result of a truly collaborative enterprise in the spirit of the Chapels commitment to intersectional engagement. We are especially grateful for the grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in support of this planning initiative.This spirit of collaboration and cross-sectional dialogue was also emphasized throughout the program season through lectures, meditations, music, poetry and facilitated conversations on the ongoing work on civil rights at risk in this country. While there were many highlights, we were particularly moved by the honorees of the 2023 scar Romero Award who work so diligently to ensure justice for all. We were also reminded of the importance of music to bring attention to critical issues such as violence against women, as well as to support social change movements as we experienced first-hand through the Summer Sounds concert on the Chapel plaza featuring the music and witness of Zimbabwean Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited. The 2022-23 program season made clear the importance of the synergist relationship between art, spirituality and social justice.4'