Commentary

If Your Group Developed Streaming Content, Was It A Temporary Or Long-Term Strategy?

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The omicron variant is rapidly demonstrating that arts and culture orgs can find themselves in a scenario of unexpected shutdowns thanks to multiple cases of staff and artists testing positive for coronavirus. While everyone was looking forward to capitalizing on the momentum for in-person events, it’s beginning to look like groups that maintained their virtual activities developed over 2020 and 2021 are better positioned to continue their engagement if the sector …

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The Programmatic Lightness Of Being

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It’s funny how the pandemic can make old conversation new again when viewed through the lens of hyper pragmaticism. The whole traditional vs. contemporary programming debate is a good example. Recently, the New York Times published an interview with cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han, who jointly run the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. In a nutshell, the couple makes it clear that traditional repertoire has more than enough artistic …

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Musical Left Behind Syndrome

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We’re wading into musician issue territory today by way of an article in the 11/8/21 edition of The Strad by violinist Daniel Kurganov about making it as a professional violinist who started at the age of 16 when many begin a decade or more earlier. I am very lucky to have parents who, while not being professional musicians themselves, trusted my passion through its twists and turns. But for many years, …

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The Pandemic’s Impact On Us Vs. Them Syndrome

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There’s a fascinating article in the 10/26/21 edition of the Pittsburgh-Gazette by Jeremy Reynolds that examines the impact vaccination mandates are having on Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) musicians. Like many nonprofit performing arts organizations, the PSO adopted vaccination requirements for all artist employees and Reynolds’ article dives into some of the resulting conflict among some musicians refusing to be vaccinated. The article does an excellent job at making clear the requirement …

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I’ll See Your Study And Raise You A Proposal

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Recently, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) released a report examining how arts and culture institutions that accepted Payroll Protection Program (PPP) handled staff layoffs. It’s a good report and if you’re interested in a deeper dive, you can find some good analysis and commentary from Hakim Bishara at hyperallergic.com and Joe Patti at Butts In The Seats. These initial studies provide useful context for ongoing analysis …

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