Archive for fundraising
March 17, 2008 at 11:47 pm · Filed under dance, resources, culture, boston, news, SUSAN, research, arts funding, fundraising, issues, america, dance culture, trends, dance companies, funding, arts, future
That the dance community at large has been facing a number of worries is not really news to most of us. (’Tis unfortunate, but true.) For the most part, most of the concerns that dominate the dance headlines have been dollar-focused; the problem of finding consistent funds and finances to pay dancers, commission choreography, license works and underwrite productions is one that will likely (and, sadly) plague us for a while longer. (For those who have not yet heard, Boston Ballet is the most recent company to fall into the financial black hole.)
In order to get a better grasp of what the dance world is facing, it is probably a good idea to get a more distanced perspective of where and how dance stands in relation to its other cultural peers. Towards the end of last year (2007), LaPlaca Cohen published Culture Track 2007, a presentation in which they summarize the results of their fourth national survey of cultural audiences.
The good news: In the past two years, there’s been a slight (2-3%) increase in attendance at classical dance (ballet) and modern dance events. (Yay!)
The bad news: A hefty percentage (52-68%) of people indicated that the genre/period/style to which a “cultural activity” belonged affected their attendance. Might this mean that dance will continue to remain a “lesser attended art form”? (Bummer.)
The hope: A significant number (31-49%) of the surveyed respondents indicated that “supporting a friend or family member” is a “very important” factor in their decision to attend performances and ‘activities.’ We can make a difference! (Hurrah!)
And, just in case your invitations meet resistance, be prepared:
Recent Posts by susan kim
May 9, 2007 at 11:22 pm · Filed under SLOAN, new york city ballet, fundraising, auction, mobile, aids walk
Posted by Sloan | via mobile phone
Recent Posts by kristin sloan
May 9, 2007 at 2:01 am · Filed under backstage, new york city ballet, dancers, GWYNETH, fundraising, aids walk
| | Posted by Gwyneth Muller
Dancers Ashley Bouder and Tom Gold have been working overtime to raise money for this year’s AIDS walk. In addition to collecting individual contributions from fellow company members, they are also hosting bake sales on Saturday afternoons before the matinee, selling their own homemade goodies. Everyone agrees that they’re doing an awesome job (although I’m not so sure that the wardrobe department is thrilled with seeing the dancers eating gooey chocolate cupcakes in their costumes!)
Way to go guys!
For more information on the Aids Walk 2007 and to see how you can contribute, Click Here.
Recent Posts by gwyneth muller
February 21, 2007 at 12:08 am · Filed under SLOAN, dancers, food, scottish ballet, jarkko lehmus, soon ja lee, donating, fundraising, auction, issues
Posted by Sloan
Eve Mutso and Erik Cavallari of the Scottish Ballet, in George Balanchine’s Agon. Photograph by Andrew Ross.
The Scottish Ballet recently auctioned off, via ebay, a “dinner for two” with one of their soloist dancers (Either Soon Ja Lee, or the hilarious Jarkko Lehmus… check out his blog at ballet.co.uk) at Glasgow’s swanky Hallion Club .
I think if the dancers are fine with it (and you’ll read in Jarkko’s blog that he is), and it is done in a classy way (which it seems like this was), it’s probably a fun way for the dancer to feel like they are helping raise significant money for the company they love, and also getting to share conversation with someone who also shares a passion for dance. Any people that I have met, either at a gala dinner, a sponsored cocktail party, a special donor event, or even just in the lobby of a theater, I have always enjoyed chatting and trying to understand that person’s love of dance and where they are coming from. It’s so interesting to me.
Others may not agree, and I can see how this scenario could rub people the wrong way, especially when many people feel dancers do not always get the respect they deserve. But there are many people out there who have huge respect for dancers and for dance as an artform, and would love to be able to interact with the artists they admire. Any fundraising scenario is very similar to this situation, even if a bit less personal (galas, studio talks, cocktail parties, etc.), trying to bring the audience closer to the artists in a sophisticated and meaningful way. Heck, that is what we are trying to do here. What do you think, is auctioning a dinner date too far? Maybe it is.
The Scottish Ballet does a great job getting the word out about their company, aside from creative fundraising ideas (a myspace page, a fantastic email newsletter, and a great website). I hope the auction was successful!
Recent Posts by kristin sloan
