In Wednesday’s (3/9) Orlando Sentinel, Beth Kassab writes, “There’s been a lot of talk lately about whether Orlando and Orange County can afford to build a new downtown performing arts center. Not talked about as much, but just as important, is whether local arts groups can afford to stay afloat long enough to someday perform there. The recession was harder on the art business than the most scathing critic on opening night. Finally, though, there are signs that some of Central Florida’s major arts organizations are headed toward good reviews on their balance sheets. For the first time in three years, the sector is projecting slightly higher revenues for next year, according to figures compiled by United Arts of Central Florida based on grant applications it received last month. … At the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, season ticket sales were up 23 percent in 2010 over 2009 due mostly to deep discounts for first-time purchasers. Increased ticket sales, steady philanthropic contributions and cost-cutting allowed the Philharmonic, which operates on a $3 million orchestra budget and $600,000 opera budget, to climb out of the red last year.”
Posted March10, 2011
