So, the economy is in a recession,
and arts funding is being cut or even eliminated. Opera companies and
symphonies are filing for bankruptcy, and the public loses more and
more of its cultural treasures every day.
Hardest hit, in a way, are the performers themselves. Audiences move on and organizations
disappear or restructure, but artists and musicians still have to survive, both financially
and spiritually. With so many outlets becoming unavailable, though, what are they to do?
If live musical performances were more valued, of course, the problem would be less acute.
The movie industry is hardly in financial straits, simply because the cinema is so
well-entrenched in society. Television appears to be here for the long haul, as well.
Unfortunately, live performance doesn't have the cultural foothold that cinema or television do.
Part of this is due to other economic realities. (Movies and television programs are mass-marketed,
and all one needs is a way to play them in order to enjoy. Live performances are- well- of course,
live, and require the actual performers to be present!)
Yet, there are still - and always have been - local performing arts groups that satisfy
a community's hunger for the excitement that only live performance can bring; although
even these, too, are now feeling the pinch of tightening purse strings. But while the
larger of these entities- symphonies and opera companies- may or may not be able to
survive, it is the perfect opportunity for smaller organizations and individuals to fill the void.
New times call for new methods, however, so no one should expect "business as usual."
Novel approaches and cost-cutting will be the norm, and those who are content to sit back
and play the game the old way will not be at all successful; especially considering
that those ways are what got us to where we are today.
Still, I am guardedly optimistic that a new generation of art lovers
will be born from this economic crisis, for the necessity that will
motivate diligent artists will prompt them to reach out to any group
they can, to demonstrate in ever-more intimate, and therefore effective,
fashion the unique power that live performance can bring. It is now up
to the artists to carry out this important mission.
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