Michael Kaiser takes Kennedy Center's 'Arts in Crisis' project on the road
Baltimore was one of the early stops on what is now a full-scale, 50-states-plus-Puerto-Rico-and-the-District-of-Columbia tour by Kennedy Center president Michael Kaiser as part of the center's "Arts in Crisis" project.
Kaiser was at the Baltimore Museum of Art a few weeks ago for a public discussion on arts organizations facing the harsh challenges caused by the recession. He has a long track record of rescuing financially challenged institutions and for invigorating the programming and reach of arts groups, so a lot of folks naturally hang on his every word.
"Arts in Crisis," launched in February, is already working with more than 350 organizations around the country, providing planning advice on a range of issues. More than 100 veteran arts professionals are participating in the project as volunteer mentors.
The press release from Kennedy Center announcing the Kaiser road show included ...
quotes from a starry bi-partisan lineup. I realize that various handlers probably prepared these statements, in the time-honored tradition, but, still, it's nice to think that Republicans and Democrats can agree on the need to help the arts get through these unusually tough times. (Besides, it might be useful to recall these quotes the next time NEA funding or other arts issues get debated on the Hill.) Here are some excerpts:
First Lady Michelle Obama: “Nearly six million people make their living in the non-profit arts industry and arts and cultural activities contribute more than $160 billion to our economy every year. The President provided an additional $50 million in funding to the NEA in the Recovery Act to preserve jobs in state arts agencies and regional arts organizations in order to keep them up and running during the economic downturn. Our future as an innovative country depends on ensuring that everyone has access to the arts and to cultural opportunities and the Arts in Crisis initiative addresses this important intersection of creativity and commerce.”
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi: “Arts organizations are facing the same challenges as America’s families and communities; in this recession, it is tough to make ends meet. Yet as President John F. Kennedy once said, ‘The life of the arts – far from being an interruption in the life of a nation – is very close to the center of a nation’s purpose.’ That is why I applaud Michael Kaiser and the Kennedy Center for the Arts in Crisis initiative ..."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: “The recent closure of the Las Vegas Art museum – which had been operating continuously since 1974 – shows that this economic recession is taking a serious toll on our art institutions in Nevada and throughout our nation ... I know that the arts in Nevada will benefit from the Kennedy Center’s expert advice and I look forward to Mr. Kaiser’s visit to my state.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell: “Like many Kentuckians, I appreciate the contributions of the arts and humanities in enriching our communities and I would like to thank the Kennedy Center for lending its considerable fundraising and management expertise to help local arts agencies weather these difficult times.”
House Minority Leader John Boehner: “At this time of economic challenge for our country, families and small businesses are struggling to make ends meet, and the same can be said of arts organizations throughout our nation. I commend Michael Kaiser and the Kennedy Center for stepping up to help arts organizations in communities across America to weather the storm, sharing their expertise and counsel at a time when they’re needed most.”
Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California: “The Kennedy Center’s Arts in Crisis initiative will help ensure that America’s treasured arts organizations have the knowledge they need to survive this economic downturn ...”
Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi: “... I am glad the Kennedy Center has provided an avenue for performing arts groups to receive financial and management counsel to help survive the current economic climate and thrive in the future.”
BALTIMORE SUN STAFF PHOTO
