Post by Logan on Jul 2, 2016 23:41:17 GMT -6
Philadelphia Orchestra must grow audience, donor base, communication skills
One of the nation's top arts consultants says that the Philadelphia Orchestra has accomplished much since exiting bankruptcy - but warns that it has not secured the support necessary to ensure its future.
The orchestra is overly dependent on a small number of donors - 78 percent of its philanthropy comes from just 2 percent of its donors - which, according to the report, makes the group vulnerable to a funding crunch if any one of them pulls out.
The orchestra's endowment is small compared with those of several peer groups in other cities. It suffers from inadequate marketing and education programs that, if grown, would lure more donations and listeners in both the short and long terms.
The findings come after six months of looking under the orchestra's hood by Michael M. Kaiser, chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland and former president of the Kennedy Center in Washington. Kaiser conducted more than 100 interviews with orchestra staff, board, donors, musicians, and interested others, and offers observations and advice on a shrinking audience and a funding base that has not kept pace with expenses.
Read more: www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/arts/20160703_Report__Orchestra_must_grow_audience__donor_base__communication_skills.html
One of the nation's top arts consultants says that the Philadelphia Orchestra has accomplished much since exiting bankruptcy - but warns that it has not secured the support necessary to ensure its future.
The orchestra is overly dependent on a small number of donors - 78 percent of its philanthropy comes from just 2 percent of its donors - which, according to the report, makes the group vulnerable to a funding crunch if any one of them pulls out.
The orchestra's endowment is small compared with those of several peer groups in other cities. It suffers from inadequate marketing and education programs that, if grown, would lure more donations and listeners in both the short and long terms.
The findings come after six months of looking under the orchestra's hood by Michael M. Kaiser, chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland and former president of the Kennedy Center in Washington. Kaiser conducted more than 100 interviews with orchestra staff, board, donors, musicians, and interested others, and offers observations and advice on a shrinking audience and a funding base that has not kept pace with expenses.
Read more: www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/arts/20160703_Report__Orchestra_must_grow_audience__donor_base__communication_skills.html