“When the Nashville Symphony Orchestra worked out a last-minute deal in June to pay off lenders and avoid a bankruptcy auction of its $123.5 million concert hall, it was a reminder that urban cultural institutions face a host of financial challenges similar to those of the cities in which they reside,” writes Tod Newcombe in Friday’s (7/5) Governing, a magazine covering politics, policy, and management for state and local government leaders. “Like a hometown professional sports team, having a top-tier orchestra brings civic pride as well as cultural benefits to a city…Cities tend to have close, supportive relationships with their orchestras, according to [Heather] Noonan [vice president for advocacy at the League of American Orchestras]… ‘For many cities, having a healthy orchestra is an important indicator of the city’s civic health overall,’ she says. Orchestras have an economic impact on cities, from employing musicians and engaging scores of volunteers to bringing patrons downtown on concert days. But there’s also the intangible impact of creativity, collaboration, and artistry, which occurs when one hears a performance or when members of an orchestra interact with students. ‘There’s a sense of distinct public value that orchestras bring to a city,’ says Noonan.”
Posted July 11, 2013
