“The Grand Rapids Symphony Board of Directors approved a five-year plan last week aimed at attracting new audiences by serving an increasingly diverse community, branching out into innovative new areas such as health and wellness, and strengthening its financial position to accomplish its goals,” writes Shandra Martinez in Friday’s (5/28) Grand Rapids Press (Michigan). “Behind those ambitious plans is Michael Kaiser,” chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland, funded “with a $22 million donation from Dick and Betsy DeVos…. The couple wanted Kaiser to start his global work in their hometown [of Grand Rapids]…. Peter Kjome, the orchestra’s chief executive, credits the support of visionary community leaders for the organization’s ‘remarkable progress.’ … The symphony ended its 2015-16 season last week, selling out four of its five concerts … in May. Last year, the symphony launched LiveArts, a multimedia, multi-genre, entertainment extravaganza with 1,500 performers that drew more than 7,100 people to Van Andel Arena. Grand Rapids Symphony’s new 5-year plan calls for expanding collaborations … and exploring technological advances…. The organization recently negotiated a five-year contract with its unionized musicians, giving raises and restoring retirement contributions. It also completed a $40 million endowment drive.”
Posted June 1, 2016
