New Support Offered to Arts Organizations Facing Budget Woes

The Kennedy Center, in Washington, started a program today to help other arts organizations survive the recession, reports The Washington Post.

The effort grew out of what has turned into months of inquiries from other arts organizations seeking guidance from the Kennedy Center and its director Michael Kaiser, who is considered an expert on turning around organizations in crisis, the newspaper reports. Those who need assistance can find it through the program’s new Web site.

Many other newspapers are covering the problems facing arts groups. Among the highlights:

• The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is considering how to trim its budget after announcing a $3.8-million deficit for the fiscal year that ended in August, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.

• A new survey by a Philadelphia cultural group finds that ticket sales and memberships have held steady at local arts organizations, even as donations and corporate sponsorships have declined, says The Philadelphia Inquirer. Also, the Philadelphia Orchestra is considering a reduction in pay increases for lead musicians, and a reduced performance program for the forthcoming season to trim costs, the newspaper reports.

• In Denver, most arts organizations have been able to avoid layoffs or major reductions in programs, says The Denver Post.

• Some arts groups in Chicago have sought creative ways to keep people attending performances, such as allowing ticket subscriptions to be paid in installments. This and other arts updates from Chicago are reported in the Chicago Tribune.

• Dancers in the Orlando Ballet will help save the charity $35,000 to $40,000 in production costs by performing a slightly different program than originally planned, according to The Orlando Sentinel.

Plus: See the Chronicle’s update on arts groups and the economy.

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