The Barnes Foundation has raised $3 million in operating funds to carry it through the next two transitional years, as the foundation prepares to make its controversial move from Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, to Center City Philadelphia. “Plans for the highly anticipated relocation of The Barnes Foundation’s gallery have been proceeding smoothly, including fundraising efforts, which have been accelerating even during the current “quiet phase” of a campaign. The Foundation is continuing to expand its Board of Trustees as part of its overall plan to secure the future of its educational activities and art collection.”
Tag: 11.18.05
64 Orchestras Commission A Piece
Small orchestras generally can’t afford to commission composers. Composers have difficulty getting their work played by orchestras. So 64 orchestras around America banded together to jointly commission Joan Tower for a new work.
The Most Popular Instrument In Africa
“In cities from Dakar to Durban, the guitar is now king. Whether acoustic or electric, the six-stringed axe has adapted itself to a huge range of styles, and introduced African artists to blues, rock, pop, jazz and Latin music.”
The Artists’ Representative
“The son of Russian émigré musicians who were brought to the U.S. by Hurok in 1923, Max Gershunoff came to arts management indirectly. He first studied trumpet at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Barber were among his classmates. He then played under Fritz Reiner and Arturo Toscanini but grew increasingly bored by the repetitive aspects of the job. So, with encouragement from conductor Dimitri Mitropoulos, he went into arts management, ultimately serving for 12 years as vice president of Hurok Concerts Inc. He remains active in the field, representing, among others, soprano Marni Nixon and conductor José Serebrier.”
Awards – In Praise Of America’s Books
“As literary awards in America grow by leaps and bounds, so does the critical backlash, which now begins before the ceremonies. Last year, the grave concern was the prizes would go to the wrong people. This year, it’s, ‘Do literary awards mean anything?’ “
Writers: American Lit In Peril
“America’s literary tradition is in peril, said Toni Morrison, Norman Mailer and Lawrence Ferlinghetti at the 56th annual National Book Awards ceremony, an event that brings out the leaders of the publishing industry to honor the best books of the year.”
Why Do People Go To Arts Events?
Two new studies seek answers: “For instance, 68 percent of theatergoers surveyed said they attended plays as a way of socializing. Only 36 percent said they went to the theater to gain knowledge. By contrast, 65 percent of those who went to museums said they did so because they strongly desired to learn something new. The study found that a large number of blacks and other minorities attended arts events to learn specifically about their own heritage. Only 15 percent of whites said the same thing.”
Cleveland Orchestra’s $6 Million Deficit
The Cleveland Orchestra posted a $5.9 million deficit for the 2004-05 season. “The deficit represents the difference between expenses of $39.9 million and revenue of $34 million. To help the bottom line, the association drew $7.5 million from the orchestra’s endowment, which stood at $119 million as of June 30.”