The Latest In Nonprofit Crime
Thu, Apr 4, 2016
by Drew McManus
In what initially comes across as a sad copy-cat crime based on the Bolshoi Ballet scandal where in 2013, their artistic director was attacked by an assailant who threw acid in his face, the executive director at the Healing Arts Initiative (HAI) became the victim of a similar attack. Although both attacks were apparently initiated
Grand Rapids Ratifies Five Year Agreement, Here Are The Details You Need To Know
Wed, Apr 4, 2016
by Drew McManus
After an official ratification process, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s (GRS) tentative five season long collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is now a done deal. The GRS and musicians issued statements on 4/5/2016 announcing the new five-year deal, which be implemented retroactively for the current 2015/16 season. Among the numerous details, one in particular worth pointing out
Poll: What Do You Think About The Numbers Of Students Graduating With Music Performance Degrees
Tue, Apr 4, 2016
by Drew McManus
Last Friday’s April Fool’s post was a genuine hit but it seemed to simultaneously hit a few nerves. In particular, a number of reader replies (especially via email and social media) touched on issues related to the sheer volume of students produced by conservatories and schools of music vs. existing and potential job/opportunity capacity throughout
Google Just Made Looking Like A Genius Even Easier
Mon, Apr 4, 2016
by Drew McManus
Sometimes, work is just downright fun and one one aspect that never gets old is introducing clients to Google’s Device Mode feature inside their Chrome browser. It’s such a remarkably useful and impressive tool that it never fails to come across like discovering fire. At the same time, it’s one of those things that you
Major Conservatory Launches Revolutionary Scholarship Indemnity Program
Fri, Apr 4, 2016
by Drew McManus
The Juiliard Institute revealed what they defined as a “revolutionary approach to academic financial aid” today via a Scholarship Indemnity program. I was fortunate enough to be afforded an interview with the renowned school’s Dean prior to the announcement in order to learn more. At the beginning of 2014, the institution recognized that the bulk
Examining The Value Of Morals Clauses
Thu, Mar 3, 2016
by Drew McManus
A morals clause, a provision in a contract or work agreement that prohibits or penalizes certain behaviors, have been around since the early part of the 20th century but by and large, they haven’t entered into mainstream employment agreements throughout the performing arts field. For the most part, they really aren’t applicable and/or the salaries
Hurry Up And Wait In Fort Worth
Wed, Mar 3, 2016
by Drew McManus
Even though the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) managed to avoid a work stoppage thanks to an eleventh hour one-year agreement, that doesn’t mean it prevented things from continuing to turn ugly. The latest development involves the musicians staging a sit-in at FWSO offices on Thursday, March 24, 2016 to protest what they defined as
What Do You Think Arts Marketers Should Be Talking About?
Tue, Mar 3, 2016
by Drew McManus
If you have any interest in helping steer the larger arts marketing conversation, now’s your chance…but you’ll have to hurry. Thursday, March 31, 2016 is your final day to submit either a session proposal or session topic idea to the National Arts Marketing Project’s (NAMP) 2016 conference in Austin, TX from November 11-14. This year’s
New Cuts Equal Dark Weeks At The San Antonio Symphony
Mon, Mar 3, 2016
by Drew McManus
In what feels like a roller coaster that simply won’t end, the San Antonio Symphony (SAS) recently announced a new round of cuts via a reopener to its existing two-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which covers the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons. The only potential silver lining in the cuts is instead of making the reductions
US Congresswoman Denigrates Military Bands And Musicians
Fri, Mar 3, 2016
by Drew McManus
Regular readers are already aware that the single largest US employer of full-time professional musicians is the United States Armed Forces. In addition to their critical role inside the US Armed Forces, their contributions to the cultural and artistic fabric of communities they are stationed are practically too large to measure. But that doesn’t seem
