Florida Governor Rick Scott has vetoed all state funding for public radio and television. Scott claims that public broadcasting is a special interest and should not receive the $4.8 million allocated by the state legislature.
The Broward Center is getting a $43 million facelift. The Center plans to replace seating and carpeting, install new light and sound systems, and build a new corporate club, pavilion, and terraced lounge. The renovation would also include building an education center with classroom and workshop space. The Center plans to start construction in spring of 2012, and expects construction to be completed by the end of 2013.
The University of Miami Henry Mancini Institute has received $500,000 from the Knight Foundation to create a community engagement program. The program will bring the Insitute's orchestra to community venues such as Fairchild Tropical Garden and to local public schools.
Florida Stage has ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy protection. Since their move to the Kravis Center, the theater's subscriber base has shrunk from a high of 7000 to less than 2000, and the theater has accumulated $1.5 million in debt.
Classical South Florida has received FCC approval and has completed its purchase of WXEL radio. The station's new call letters are WPBI, and local shows including Classical Variations and Jazz Impressions will continue to be included in the broadcast lineup.
Broadway has seen growth in both revenue and patrons this season. Revenue for the past season was up nearly six percent, to $1.08 billion, and nearly 12.5 million people patronized the Broadway theaters, up over 5 percent.
EMI is again up for sale. EMI had been seized by creditor Citigroup earlier this year when owner Terra Firma could no longer handle the growing debt.
AFTRA has reached a new agreement with the video game industry. The new agreement, which will run through 2014, calls for increases in Health and Retirement contributions, a 1 percent increase in wages with another 2 percent increase in 2013, and a first-ever payment for streaming services.
The Florida Orchestra has received approval for a multi-year cultural exchange program with Cuba. In September, a woodwind quintet of the orchestra's principal players will perform and give master classes in Cuba, and the full orchestra is planning on performing in Cuba as early as the 2012-2013 season.
The Houston Symphony has qualified for the first of two $1 million challenge grants from Houston Endowment. The orchestra balanced its budget and expanded its donor base to meet the challenge. The orchestra raised a record $8 million for its Annual Fund and saw a 30 percent increase in its donor base.
The AFM has received a grant from the AFL-CIO to hire a bankruptcy attorney to assist with the recent rash of orchestra bankruptcy filings. Several orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Louisville Symphony, have recently field for bankruptcy in an attempt to get out of their collective bargaining agreement obligations.
The Colorado Springs Philharmonic has received a $225,000 grant from the El Pomar Foundation. Last Year the orchestra received $100,000 from the Foundation as a result of meeting a goal of $900,000 in new donor pledges.