Buzzing Reed- Classical Music & Clarinet Culture

Two articles in the Columbus Dispatch detail the ups and downs of local arts organizations struggling in the sagging economy. Some are faring well in the current economic storm.

Unfortunately the Columbus Symphony is still struggling even after drastic cuts last year. I hope the leadership of the Columbus Symphony takes a good look at the ideas of Michael Kaiser, as I suggested in a previous post, The Art of the Turnaround. It’s never too late to redirect the organization more creatively. You can also hear an interview with Kaiser by Christopher Purdy HERE.

The first article is Staying Alive

Amid the worst economic downturn in a generation, a surprising number of central Ohio arts groups say they’re holding their own — or, in a few cases, thriving.

From the treasures of ancient Egypt to modern jazz, some arts-related offerings are succeeding at the box office with tried-and-true or distinct programming viewed as a good value in lean times.

“History has proved that the entertainment business can navigate a bad economy better than other segments, but you’ve got to be smart about it,” said Bob Breithaupt, executive director of the Jazz Arts Group.

…Single-ticket sales for ProMusica concerts have increased 39 percent during the past two years, said Executive Director Janet Chen. Subscription sales are up, too, but to a lesser degree.

“Arts thrive in recession times, even going back hundreds of years,” she said.

To be sure, belt-tightening (and worse) is taking place in the arts, especially among groups with high overhead and production costs, such as operas and orchestras.

Both the Columbus Symphony and Opera Columbus are selling fewer season tickets and receiving less corporate, foundation and individual support than in previous years.

Charting the ups, downs of area arts groups supplies the facts behind the first article. In general, the smaller organizations are doing better, but none are impervious to current economic stresses.

This post is addressed to anyone and everyone in Columbus who wants to see the Columbus Symphony survive and thrive.

The Art of the Turnaround, by internationally famous arts revival expert Michael Kaiser, is a must read for anyone in Columbus who wants to see the CSO through the continuing crisis. The book has detailed descriptions of each of his 10 basic rules, with longer chapters on Kaiser’s successful turnarounds with the Kansas City Ballet, Alvin Ailey Dance, American Ballet Theater, Royal Opera House and The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

The musicians have given back a huge sum toward the effort of invigorating the CSO. Additionally for my part, I have ceased writing critically of the organization.

To nudge CSO leadership in the right direction, I list the 10 “rules” suggested by Kaiser as a critical foundation toward healing a sick arts organization. I hope we can all agree to the proven value of these foundational conditions for moving forward. Some are obvious, but others go against current thinking used to help the Columbus Symphony.

1 Someone must lead
2 The leader must have a plan
3 You cannot save your way to health
4 Focus on today and tomorrow, not yesterday
5 Extend your programming planning calendar
6 Marketing is more than brochures and advertisements
7 There must be only one spokesperson and the message must be positive
8 Fund raising must focus on the larger donor, but don’t aim too high
9 The board must allow itself to be restructured
10 The organization must have the discipline to follow each of these rules

If you are in a position to help the CSO, or can influence someone who is, please consider getting this book and reviewing Kaiser’s ideas. We need all the help we can get!