Performing arts struggle under crisis
Arts in Crisis initiative to provide help to orgs
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Launched Tuesday, the Arts in Crisis initiative will provide free emergency planning assistance to any nonprofit performing arts group that requests it. The initiative also seeks to establish a nationwide network of accomplished arts managers to assist as mentors in the effort.
“We’re experiencing an economic downturn that is more severe than any that I have experienced in my career,” said Kennedy Center president Michael Kaiser. “I fear for the health of the arts ecology of this country.”
Kaiser said the center’s leadership has broad experience in training arts leaders and in working with troubled arts orgs. He feels it’s “very important we share that expertise at this difficult moment.” He outlined the center’s plan to provide “free and confidential counsel in fund-raising, building more effective boards of trustees, budgeting, marketing and other areas pertinent to maintaining a vital performing arts organization during a troubled economy.”
To operate the initiative, the center has launched a website, Artsincrisis.org. It invites challenged arts managers and others to visit the site and email with their concerns. Kaiser and his management team will seek to respond with answers or in-depth consultations as required.
The site also invites experienced arts managers who feel they have the resources and capability to help other arts orgs to join the initiative. Kaiser said he seeks to establish a large volunteer corps of arts managers to help respond to requests, hopefully by matching individuals in the same city or geographic area.
Before taking the Kennedy Center reins, Kaiser was an arts management consultant who earned a reputation for restoring the health of struggling arts groups including the American Ballet Theater, Kansas City Ballet and London’s Royal Opera House.
He initiated the Kennedy Center Institute for Arts Management, which trains prospective arts managers in all aspects of the profession in fellowship and internship programs, as well as board members of arts orgs. In addition, the institute operates capacity building programs for culturally specific arts orgs in the U.S. and needy groups throughout the world.
