The latest Cultural Confidence update indicates attitudes surrounding the current economic situation as well as the economic outlook among cultural institutions remained mostly unchanged since the last polling cycle. Since polling began, negative outlooks overshadow positive by no less than two to one while those who believe the current economic condition at their organization is “poor” (the lowest available option) has risen steadily. It was interesting that the Bernie Madoff scandal appeared to have little impact on this polling cycle but that situation should still serve as notice to all performing arts organizations that transparency and accountability have never been more important..
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Not A Creature Was Stirring…
It is good see a number of those in the business are taking some time off. According to the quantity and content of automated out-of-office email responses to this week’s Weekly Email Summary, a number of folks are taking not only today but most of next week off. Frankly, I think that’s a good idea, regardless of how well off or dire your respective situation may seem. Proper rest and relaxation …
The Great Thing About Potential Is Its Resilience
In April, 2007 I published a pair of articles about seven orchestras I felt were in right place at the right time to accomplish truly great things. Occupying the #1 spot on that list was the Las Vegas Philharmonic (LVP) and if you’ve been keeping up with music news this week, you may have noticed the article in the 12/23/08 edition of the Las Vegas Sun by Kristen Peterson which reported …
Spreading Some Christmas Cheer
With Christmas right around the corner, I thought it would be nice to focus on some good news. First up, in case you haven’t already heard the Virginia Symphony received an early Christmas present in the form of a $500,000 loan from the Norfolk Economic Development Authority. According to the 12/18/2008 edition of The Virginian-Pilot, symphony board chair, Blair Wimbush, the funds, in combination with budget cuts, will enable the organization to reach the end of the current season…
Holiday Homestretch Poll
As we enter the homestretch for the 2008 holiday season, I thought it would be fun to see if the holiday spirit is still going strong or if everyone is Messiah/Nutcracker/Sleigh Ridden out. So take a therapeutic moment and weigh in with your holiday state of mind…