<p>You are right about Getty - and there are others giving to save music in our schools. There is never enough it seems - schools feel the pressure to cut back continually. When I become Secretary of Education, I'll straighten all this out.</p>
<p>You certainly get my vote, Cartera!! </p>
<p>I think the arts always survive one way or another. Our kids may have a rough time of it, but the whole world is having a rough time at present and they will need entertainment.....</p>
<p>Two articles that you may find interesting reads, from 2004 and 2006 respectively:
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/arts/music/12waki.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/arts/music/12waki.html</a></p>
<p>Lining</a> up for the job market - Los Angeles Times</p>
<p>I'm not sure if musicians will somehow be more affected by the economic downturn than, say, jobs in IT, finance or manufacturing. Perhaps the silver lining is that music majors start out with realistic (low?) expectations to begin with...as opposed to the Wharton MBAs scrambling to find work after the collapse of their investment bank. Those guys probably assumed they had a job for life. </p>
<p>As much as it makes parents nervous, I just can't imagine a gifted 17-year old musician being talked out of pursuing a lifetime in music simply because of current headlines. For many there is simply no option but to roll the dice, so to speak, and follow their dreams.</p>
<p>St. Louis is feeling the pinch: STLtoday</a> - Tough economy hits St. Louis arts scene</p>
<p>Rumors that Baltmore Opera Co. is on the verge of bankruptcy:
Clef</a> Notes: Baltimore Opera says rumors of demise are unfounded - The Baltimore Sun’s classical music critic Tim Smith blogs about the sonic art, local and beyond - baltimoresun.com</p>
<p>Washington National Opera forced to cancel plans for Ring Cycle for 2009-2010 season:</p>
<p>DCist:</a> Financial Crisis Claims WNO's Ring Cycle Plans</p>
<p>Bad news all around!</p>
<p>Well there is no economic downturn for Stienway and Sons. Yesterday they announced the biggest order for pianos EVER. 165 going to CCM.</p>
<p>With this economy, there may be an increased demand for people who can sing the blues.</p>
<p>I've often wondered about the deals the schools cut with Steinway. Several of the schools my D considered, and the one she chose, tout being "all Steinway" schools. There must be quite an incentive for that loyalty.</p>
<p>The Baltimore Opera is filing for bankruptcy tomorrow and has canceled the rest of the season - with no refunds to patrons. That is pretty much it for opera in Baltimore and I know many who will miss the performances. Very sad.</p>
<p>Here's something interesting on this subject:
From NPR:</p>
<p>All Things Considered, December 8, 2008 - President-elect Barack Obama has said he believes the arts are good for people. During his campaign, one of his ideas was to create an Artist Corps a kind of Peace Corps for artists who would work in low-income schools and communities.</p>
<p>But what would this actually look like?</p>
<p>There's already a model being developed for musicians called MusicianCorps. Kiff Gallagher's idea would be similar to AmeriCorps in exchange for a year or two of service teaching in schools and after-school programs, musicians would get health care and a living stipend. Gallagher has the attention of Obama's transition team.</p>
<p>He also has the attention of private industry the Hewlett Foundation gave MusicianCorps a $500,000 grant for a pilot program in the San Francisco Bay Area. </p>
<p>You can read more at NPR's website.</p>
<p>It's funny, I was just thinking about the WPA! I think government should be doing more to support the arts, but, of course, the federal deficit is now, what over a trillion?</p>
<p>I have three kids, one a computer scientist (check him off), one a musician and one a dancer. We fantasize about moving to Europe, where some governments even pay for artists' benefits.</p>
<p>I also think that philanthropy/donations often go toward providers of more basic needs like food and shelter, during a downturn like this, if donor are able to give at all.</p>
<p>I am personally donating the grand sum of $25 to music and dance organizations that are struggling. This is not exactly patronage of the arts, and we can't afford to pay for arts education for our kids, and donate much at the same time. But if that's all we can do, that's all we can do.</p>
<p>The increasing emphasis on outreach in the arts, both to bring in performers from underserved areas, and also to bring in audiences through education and exposure, is encouraging. The arts world is going to have to change some, and become less elite, perhaps, to survive. Although it is the elite that has the bucks, so alienating them is a problem.</p>
<p>I think striking a balance between increasing audiences and not alienating the more traditional patrons will be very important.</p>
<p>In the meantime, yes, a WPA!</p>
<p>p.s. Harvard announced yesterday that, even in these difficult times, the university is committed to a new emphasis on the arts for undergraduates, and is adding majors in drama, filmmaking and creative writing. Harvard is also adding an MFA program, and added a dual BM/MM with NEC a few years back. This is all certainly heartening, and perhaps others will follow.</p>
<p>The Connecticut Opera is canceling the remainder of its season. Very sad.</p>
<p>I heard yesterday...such a shame. I hope they can pull it together for next season...it's such a wonderful group.</p>
<p>Just got an email saying that the Connecticut Opera is now closing up shop completely.</p>
<p>Yes...SO SO SO sad! I heard they are not refunding the ticket money from the two shows they cancelled as well.</p>
<p>Tough times call for tough measures to "fill the house", as described here.</p>
<p>Discounts</a> for Concerts, Ballets, Operas - WSJ.com</p>
<p>While it is indeed sad to hear how many musical organizations and venues are struggling, it is interesting to note ways some manage to retain and even expand their audiences.</p>
<p>I don't know if it's a good or bad thing, but we've been really enjoying the reduced price tickets - we've gone to a number of concerts in the past year that we couldn't otherwise have afforded. You just need to get on the email lists because they often drop prices at the last minute and send emails out to their regular customers. </p>
<p>At the reduced-price events, it is really refreshing to see a lot of younger people in attendance. This is a good thing in the long run and proves that the primary reason audiences have gotten so old is not lack or interest, but price. I just hope these venues can make enough money to keep their doors open.</p>
<p>Fortunately the final stimulus bill includes $50,000,000 for the NEA. It was a close call, because the Senate had earlier cut the funding and prohibited funding of theaters, museums, and other art venues. The House put it back in the bill. Yah House!
Americans</a> for the Arts News</p>
<p>I found it interesting that Senator Coburn, who tried to exclude funding for theaters, has a daughter who is an opera singer. I hope he has a lump on his head.</p>
<p>I could't believe that they attacked funding for the arts as "wasteful" as though artists don't also have "jobs"!!!</p>