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How about a bailout for the arts?

posted by Rachel Fink on Wed, Jan 7, 2009
in General theatre talk

Michael Kaiser, who is the president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, recently wrote a very articulate op-ed piece in The Washington Post about the need for a bailout for the arts.

If I could, I'd make it required reading for all.

As he succinctly states, "This sector is at serious risk. Because the arts are so fragmented, no single organization's demise threatens the greater economy and claims headlines. But thousands of organizations, and the state of America's arts ecology, are in danger."

We're already seeing it in our local theatre community with the demise of American Musical Theatre of San Jose, the recent (successful) campaign to save Shakespeare Santa Cruz and the current appeal for The Magic Theatre. Even the organizations that aren't in dire straits are facing the prospect of significant cutbacks and layoffs due to decreased revenue streams.

Clearly, those of us in the field are very concerned, and know that it'll take the collective action of the community to help weather these hard times. Please take a moment and read Michael Kaiser's piece and help advocate for support for our arts community, including our very own Berkeley Rep.