1Tess_W
With all the gloom and doom about inflation and the failings of several banks, what does that mean for YOUR art community?
I buy season tickets to the ballet, where several times a year the symphony orchestra accompanies live. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, there have been 3 performances in a year. In 2024, there are going to be 5! (Of course, the season ticket costs more if you choose to go to all five). I'm not sure if I should interpret this as a good thing? What say you?
I buy season tickets to the ballet, where several times a year the symphony orchestra accompanies live. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, there have been 3 performances in a year. In 2024, there are going to be 5! (Of course, the season ticket costs more if you choose to go to all five). I'm not sure if I should interpret this as a good thing? What say you?
2LolaWalser
I say it's a crying shame that this type of thing should depend on private charity and that art institutions should be subsidised on the highest level, treating the performers as serious professionals and not two-bit amateurs snatching exercise time from other "day jobs".
Five annual performances? It is to weep. You can catch twice that many unique performances in a single week in my hometown of 350K people.
And it's not just the problem of American podunks. When I came to New Orleans I was crushed to learn that the opera programmed only four premieres (with one repeat, meaning I could count on all of EIGHT live opera performances a year.) New Orleans--which once upon a time had not one but four competing opera houses.
As for the New Orleans Symphony, best to say nothing... it was touch and go if they'd appear, and some years they had no money for ANY performances. Not to mention how wildly the quality of the musicians varied--no wonder, since they weren't allowed to BE musicians 24/7.
Five annual performances? It is to weep. You can catch twice that many unique performances in a single week in my hometown of 350K people.
And it's not just the problem of American podunks. When I came to New Orleans I was crushed to learn that the opera programmed only four premieres (with one repeat, meaning I could count on all of EIGHT live opera performances a year.) New Orleans--which once upon a time had not one but four competing opera houses.
As for the New Orleans Symphony, best to say nothing... it was touch and go if they'd appear, and some years they had no money for ANY performances. Not to mention how wildly the quality of the musicians varied--no wonder, since they weren't allowed to BE musicians 24/7.
3Tess_W
>2 LolaWalser: You made some good points. Here is the problem that I see, in Columbus, Ohio.........a city of about 2 million...There seem to be many competing classical entertainment venues: Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Met, Opera Columbus, Chamber Music Production, Off Broadway, to name a few. Then just 10 miles away is The Ohio State University that has it's own entertainment venue(s), Wexner Performing Arts Center. Then.....Nationwide Arena brings big name talent to its venue of a more popular nature (Manheim Steamroller, Tom Jones, Barry Manilow, Bruce Springsteen) There is also Newport Music Hall within 10 miles that brings in less popular oldies, mostly country, but it is always packed. Now, while I think all of these things are great, a lot of people, myself included, can't afford to support them all! Tickets to To Kill a Mockingbird with Richard Thomas were $115 for the cheap seats. Cheap ballet and symphony tickets are at least $80 each. I am retired, so I have to be choosy and manage to go to 3-4 ballets/symphonies per year and maybe 1-2 Off Broadway plays/musicals per year. There is also Shakespeare in the Park each summer and I try to attend 2-3 of them. All of these venues are in the downtown area, not really an area that I feel safe in after dark. If the performances are on Sunday or 7-8pm at night, there are no restaurants open for dinner afterwards--not a problem for me, but it is for many. And as I attend these events, the audiences are at least 90% ages 40+. I fear what will happen in the future unless younger folks get involved.
So, if a city of 2 million finds it difficult to support so many groups....not sure what the answer is. When I purchase tickets the question is always asked, would you like to donate extra $ for support of the arts? My answer is always yes, even if it is a relatively small amount.
***I didn't mean 5 only performances, I guess I should say 5 shows, with 5-10 performances for each show.
So, if a city of 2 million finds it difficult to support so many groups....not sure what the answer is. When I purchase tickets the question is always asked, would you like to donate extra $ for support of the arts? My answer is always yes, even if it is a relatively small amount.
***I didn't mean 5 only performances, I guess I should say 5 shows, with 5-10 performances for each show.
4LolaWalser
>3 Tess_W:
State support is the answer. Opera and ballet aren't profitable "businesses" nor should they be under pressure to perform as such. In Europe (I don't include the UK) every national arts institution is subsidised to a greater or lesser degree because it's acknowledged that the arts have an ineffable, incalculable value greater than a sardine cannery.
State support is the answer. Opera and ballet aren't profitable "businesses" nor should they be under pressure to perform as such. In Europe (I don't include the UK) every national arts institution is subsidised to a greater or lesser degree because it's acknowledged that the arts have an ineffable, incalculable value greater than a sardine cannery.
5Tess_W
>4 LolaWalser: In part State support, and Ohio has appropriated 24M for this year and 26M for next year. But divided amongst so many art organizations it may not be nearly enough. I'm perhaps thinking that performing at schools from the earliest age of 5 through HS might not spark some interest. This would have to be done religiously and just not when convenient. I'm also thinking a free kiddie academy where interested students could spend a semester "in training"..... Schools could be invited and provide busing to dress rehearsals....As a teacher I can only envision the tie-ins with history and literature! I'm sure there are plenty of STEM activities that could be created from watching a ballet or listening to a symphony or opera.
When my children were young, I often took them to cultural events. They remember them well and I think they appreciate it. However, they do not now attend most of them, nor do they take their children. It just no longer interests them and they say the cost is prohibitive. So, again, I'm not sure how to get younger people involved.
When my children were young, I often took them to cultural events. They remember them well and I think they appreciate it. However, they do not now attend most of them, nor do they take their children. It just no longer interests them and they say the cost is prohibitive. So, again, I'm not sure how to get younger people involved.
