In Sunday’s (3/28) Washington Post, Jacqueline Trescott writes, “About two years ago, noting the signs of a crippling recession on the horizon, the Studio Theatre launched an unusual drive just for housekeeping items. They set a goal of $2.5 million for ‘Upgrading Connections,’ and they got it. … Whether in good times or bad, the hardest money for any arts organization to raise is for upkeep—leaking roofs, outdated heating and air-conditioning systems, more efficient lighting. … All over town, development offices are the nerve centers of the region’s arts economy. They can be depressing or jubilant places, one-person shops or a full-fledged staff. But in the last 18 months, most of them have experienced moments of deep anxiety. … Gradually, some arts groups are seeing signs of a turnaround. … But when the economy begins to enjoy a resurgence, the arts institutions usually see a lag in their donations. The major donors, who suffered from their Wall Street portfolios taking a deep dive, are evaluating where to begin giving again.”
Posted March 29, 2010
