According to the February 12, 2009 Chronicle of Philanthropy, as a response to the economic crisis, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, "has started a $500,000 program designed to help struggling arts groups by providing them with free consulting and emergency planning advice."
The Center plans to provide "confidential counseling in how to raise money, build more effective boards, and improve budgeting and marketing during a troubled economy... The team of consultants will consist of Mr. Kaiser (the CEO) and the heads of the Center's development and fund-raising, marketing, finance, information-technology, and education departments. These officials will provide assistance through e-mail messages, phone calls and visits to organizations. Through their Web site, the Center will also be soliciting other senior arts managers from across the country to volunteer as mentors for troubled arts groups."
Two donors have provided the $500,000 this will cost.
Well, how beneficent of the Kennedy Center? I mean really, can the local mom and pop shop ever replicate the lessons that the very big and well financed Kennedy Center has to offer? I guess the answer is that the Kennedy Center thinks so.
And does the use of the Center's "people" really cost $500,000 over an 18 month period? I guess the answer is that the Kennedy Center thinks so.
And what about all those local management support centers and volunteer support groups who have been laboring over the many years to provide similar support? I guess we will have to wait and see what the Kennedy Center knows that these folks don't know. And maybe that will be something -- at least $500,000 worth....
Isn't this kind of assistance part of the mission of various service organizations for the arts, e.g., Association of Performing Arts Presenters, the ASOL, OPERA America etc. do? ...of course, they may be strapped, too because the dues paid by local arts groups to the service orgs. may be one of the first things to be cut. While fundamental principle in marketing, fundraising are similar, you are so right about difference. How many local groups can offer tickets to the Kennedy Centers Honors as a benefit? On the other hand, if I was trying to make the case to support the Kennedy Center to a donor with broader interests, this would allow me to say "Your support helps us to help the little guy."
Posted by: Fundraiser in Virginia | February 16, 2009 at 04:12 PM
It gives new meaning to the idea of patronizing the arts.
I heard PBS has rights to broadcast the upcoming "Kennedy Center in the Hood" show.
Posted by: Tidy Sum | February 17, 2009 at 08:37 PM