COVID-19

The Pandemic’s Impact On Us Vs. Them Syndrome

by

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 …

Read more

I’ll See Your Study And Raise You A Proposal

by

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 …

Read more

We’ve Settled Into A Good Groove With Vax Policies

by

While new contributions continue to come in, the Performing Arts Org Vax Policy Database has leveled off to 231 entries. More than three-quarters of those include links to their respective online policy pages. This is decidedly one of those projects I’m glad to have allocated the time and resources to create. Having said that, it wouldn’t have been possible without the assistance of Holly Mulcahy and Ceci Dadisman or the 178 organizations …

Read more

If You’re Looking For Arts Org Vax Policy Resources, I’ve Got Nearly 200 For You

by

After a pandemic break Scott Silberstein, HMS Media Co-founder and Executive Producer, is back at his Hot Topics newsletter and the most recent issue has a wealth of resource links to a variety of venue Covid policies: American Players Theater Milwaukee Rep  Upstate New York, including Schenectady, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Elmira and Syracuse In Ohio, the Cleveland Playhouse, the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati and Kuss Auditorium at Clark State in Springfield Altria Center in …

Read more

Get Cary Elwes On the Phone!

by

Orchestras are starting back into live, in-person events and it’s clear everyone is happy to be back. In San Francisco, they even managed to get a good laugh out of wearing masks. The 9/23/21 edition of SFGate.com published an article by Amy Graff that reported on a live movie music concert that featured the film The Princess Bride that had a line which left the audience in tears (in a good …

Read more