Quick Cash Dilemma In Honolulu

It is tough to ignore things that happen in threes and that is exactly the case this week with the Honolulu Symphony. First, Joe Patti posted an article about recent events, the Honolulu Weekly posted an article about the orchestra’s recent financial troubles amidst optimistic artistic gals, and then the orchestra musicians distributed a special edition of their newsletter to promote their opening concerts this weekend. Amid all of the unpleasantness from some orchestras over recent months, it is good to see that that Honolulu is holding on…

At the same time, it is disappointing to read via Joe’s blog that
the local government isn’t doing more to support the organization.
Apparently, it seems that the city is trying to decide between allowing
the orchestra the flexibility they need to reserve concert event dates
at local venues against quick cash from touring Broadway shows.
Although this might seem like a quandary for the city, it isn’t. It is
always smart to hedge your bet with the long view. Recognizing that
durable revenue generated by a resident professional performing arts
organization (which simultaneously pumps money back into the economy
via large numbers of resident artists) is better than here today, gone
tomorrow quick cash from touring shows should be a no-brainer.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case in Honolulu.
If anything, this is an excellent example of the value behind
maintaining a regular government affairs officer within the
organization, whether it is a full time paid administrative position or
a proactive board post.