I have not posted here in a few weeks as I was a little busy organizing a small benefit party and the final concerts of the season for The Chicago Ensemble, the classical chamber music group for which I serve as managing director. Although these times are trying, a major “recession” is a good (albeit painful) learning opportunity. We have been grappling with two competing needs: How to reassure our donors and patrons that we will indeed be having a 33rd season in 2009-2010; and 2) how to be creative in our choice of venue and programming. How can we reduce our already reduced budget while still providing a high-quality season that maintains the kind of experience our long-time patrons have come to expect? What can we do to boost our marketing efforts without incurring additional costs? And so forth. I know these are questions that nearly every arts organization is grappling with right now.
I am fortunate to have income from multiple sources, some more reliable than others, and the pay cut I have taken to help keep The Chicago Ensemble solvent is a sacrifice I am willing to make for a part-time gig (especially if it helps our artists make a living). However, not all arts administrators have the luxury of choice. I think the Illinois Arts Council can expect a mountain of applications for the Illinois Arts Jobs Preservation Grants Program, an extension of President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
