Wednesday’s (3/31) Columbus Business First (Ohio) reports, “In the face of lingering financial troubles, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra has struck a deal to turn over its administrative operations to CAPA [Columbus Association for the Performing Arts] under a new five-year agreement that officials say will bolster the nonprofit’s business model and keep it afloat. CAPA, the nonprofit arts group that operates downtown’s historic theaters, said beginning Monday it will take on all finance, accounting, marketing, advertising, publicity, human resources and other back-office functions for the symphony. Of the orchestra’s 18 non-musician employees, 13 will be hired by CAPA in the next six to eight months. Symphony President Roland Valliere will remain in his post with the symphony and take on the title of chief creative officer. CAPA CEO Bill Conner is stepping in as volunteer managing director and CEO of the symphony. … With the new arrangement, the orchestra expects to save more than $750,000 in its 2010-11 season. … Symphony board Chairman Martin Inglis said in a statement that the organization tapped CAPA ‘to help us enhance our business model to retain and expand our audience’s enthusiasm. We have a responsibility to our community to continue to provide quality, live classical music, and we feel CAPA’s expertise and resources will significantly increase our capability to further that mission.’ ”
Left to right in photo: Martin Inglis, Columbus Symphony board chair; Bill Conner, CAPA president and CEO; Roland Valliere, Columbus Symphony president and CEO; Michael Petrecca, CAPA board chair
Credit: Terry Gilliam
Posted March 31, 2010
