Some Mid-Week Cross Blogging

The week has been filled with some excellent cross-blogging between a few of my Inside The Arts blogging neighbors. First off, Ron Spigelman offers some first-person perspective on the dynamic impact of the Kansas City Symphony (KCS) lawsuit on local Missouri orchestras. Next, Joe Patti posted a blog about the Yo-Yo Ma appearance on The Colbert Report a day before I posted yesterday’s poll (if you haven’t voted yet, there’s still time). I always enjoy Joe’s take on orchestra-centric stuff…

In particular, I like looking at the business through the eyes of someone not up to their eyeballs in it and Joe’s perception on how classical music projects itself to the general population are right on the mark. Joe writes,

“Attitudes won’t change overnight but increased awareness through conduits like the Colbert Report can help in the battle. Despite the self-involved bluster his television persona exhibits, Colbert has used his position to advance causes he believes in.”

I couldn’t think of a better way to say it. You can find Joe’s article here.

Bouncing back to Ron over at Sticks and Drones, he posted an article which examines how the failed KCS lawsuit impacted his orchestra in Springfield, MO and how he explored alternatives to the legal option engaged by the KCS.

“I just believe that if the legislature feels that money for the arts is optional, it is all of us collectively that need to bear some of the blame because obviously we have not closed the argument on the importance of the arts.”

I like this. It isn’t a discussion about right and wrong, it is a discussion and cause and effect. Ron’s piece engages the sort of discussion encouraged in my article from last week and I think it is well worth any manager’s time. You can find Ron’s article here.