Local and Industry News
Governors in Texas, Kansas, Washington, and South Carolina have proposed eliminating their state arts agencies.The cuts come as states try to contain their budget deficits, and as Texas Governor Rick Perry has said, the arts councils do not provide "mission-critical" services. However, eliminating state arts councils will make states ineligible for Federal Funding as the bylaws of the National Endowment for the Arts require distribution of its funds only through a designated state agency, so the move may cost states more than it saves. Supporters of the arts councils say cutting the minimal investment, nationally averaging eighty-seven cents per capita and as low as twenty-nine cents per capita in Kansas, would hurt small arts organizations, tourism, arts education, revitalization of downtowns, and efforts to bring arts to underserved areas. As South Carolina Arts Commission executive director Ken May has said, "It's a basic idea of our democratic society that if something is really beneficial to people, we should do our best to give everybody access to it. That's the reasoning behind public education, public parks, public libraries, and public support for the arts."
Orange County mayor Teresa Jacobs has stated that serious financial and management problems are causing the delay in construction of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. Construction of the center cannot begin until a $30 million shortfall is addressed. The first phase of construction is said to cost $282.6 million, although some believe that figure is no longer realistic. The center was relying on promised tourist taxes to finance construction, but due to the economy and declining tourist revenue, the center only received a fraction of the promised amount.
recording
Citigroup has taken over control of recording label EMI. The label's private equity owner, Guy Hands' Terra Firma, defaulted on its loans from Citigroup as EMI's performance struggled. Citigroup has recapitalized the debt and EMI will continue under the same management.
symphonic
Miami City Ballet will make its Paris debut at the Summers of Dance Festival in July. The company will spend three weeks performing works of Balanchine and other major 20th century choreographers.
The Atlanta Opera has received $9 million from Barbara D. Stewart. Stewart, who passed away in 2010, had served on the opera's board in various capacities, including as president and treasurer, since the mid 1990's. Half of the bequest will go to the opera's endowment fund.
Musicians of the Detroit Symphony have rejected management's final contract offer. Musicians have been on strike for 20 weeks, and in response to the rejection of the offer, management has suspended the remaining 4 months of the orchestra's 2010-2011 season. This is the first time a major American orchestra has lost an entire season to a labor dispute.
Write reply
Comments must be approved before being published.
