Scatter gives the money tree a shake, shake, shake…
In this particular phase of the recession, which might actually be worse than a recession, all that anyone can think about is money. Cold hard cash (an expression that implies coinage, actually — I’m imagining Scrooge McDuck’s vault, where he dances a jig and tosses said coinage in the air above his head). Where was I? Yes, cold hard cash. Art Scatter is no different. We can’t help ourselves. We nervously glance at the stock market results, call to make sure our major (and imaginary) patrons are healthy and flush, concoct money-making schemes, pass out the sweaters and vow to save on electricity. And truly, NO money is involved at all in Art Scatter (we’re all about barter), but like we said, we can’t help ourselves.
So, some links to money. Not actual links to actual money, mind you…
DK Row reported that PNCA has nabbed a $500,000 Meyer Memorial Trust grant, with another $400,000 on the way from yet another foundation, part of the art school’s $32 million capital campaign, which will refurbish its building at N.W. 12th and Johnson, among many other things. It’s still $3 or $4 million short, and that doesn’t include another round of fundraising necessary to renovate the 511 Building on Broadway. Some other capital campaigns that could use a boost — Portland Center Stage’s campaign to pay for the Armory building (which was $9 million or so short, the last we heard — looking for an update here!) and P:ear’s campaign to pay for its new home at on Northwest 6th and Flanders (which needs another $1 million).
Oregon arts organizations didn’t do so well in the latest round of NEA grants, at least compared to Washington, which trounced Oregon by a 3 to 1 margin. The list of winners was supplied by colleague Scott Lewis of the Northwest Professional Dance Project, which nabbed $10 thousand. And speaking of dance, Oregon Ballet Theatre received $10k as well and White Bird found its name on a $20k check. Congrats to all and sundry.
Hey, Art Scatter’s got a Senate seat to sell! A Senate seat is worth something, Rod Blagojevich teaches us, so what are we bid? The Chicago Tribune (talk about money problems!) reports that the comedy troupe Second City is excited about the turn of events with the Illinois governor (we are NOT typing Blogojevich again… oops). It’s all about the material, honey, all about the material.
If it’s Wednesday in America, then a Shakespeare theater must be closing (Milwaukee), an opera company has joined the Tribune company in Chapter 11 (Baltimore) and they are talking about the money (and perhaps enjoying the art, too), at an art fair (Miami). Has it ever been thus? Maybe so. But we are reading the tea leaves SO intently these days.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I can’t wait to share with you next week the extent to which money is still flowing strong out of the Regional Arts & Culture Council, and all of the exciting artistic projects in that are about to be funded for 2009. Actually, local government $ for arts and culture doesn’t look too bad for 2009-10 either; it’s 2010-11 that I am worried about. Hopefully by then the economy will have improved significantly, and private sector giving will be reaching new heights. Keep giving, people. Please keep giving!
December 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am
You’re about on the money with the amount left to raise on our capital campaign at the Armory, ArtScatter. Thanks for asking! It is in the $9m range…We had two fantastic gifts last spring, naming the Ellyn Bye Studio and our Joanne Lilley Grand Staircase. The campaign continues, we actually have had a number of productive conversations moving forward, so we’re feeling positive about the coming months for the campaign. We also remain very…attentive…to the economy, so we’re knocking a lot of wood around here. Our subscription campaign continues through the end of the month, and we’re at a 12 year high in season tickets (over 10,000). We extended our first two productions so far this season (”Guys&Dolls” and the Buckminster Fuller play), so audiences still seem to be in the mood for a good diversion. Contributions are on track, too, although we are making sure to take none of that for granted. We’re being as smart as we can about expenses, and have taken some economies in order to make sure we’re being smart. So, to paraphrase CultureJock, keep buying tickets, people, keep buying tickets!
December 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Thanks for the update, Ms. Fuhrman! I think in this economy, every month you can get through with positive momentum is a cause for celebration. It’s also possible that our ability to focus so much attention on financial news — thanks to the Internet and cable business news shows — creates its own kind of turmoil: We start expecting disaster, whether or not it’s likely. So thanks for a little reality check.