Comments

1
To do my part to help the ballet, I'd like to open up my home to the ballerinas. They are free to come stay as long as they like, they can lounge around the pool, do warmups in the living room, even to housework in costume, if they prefer. It's the least I can do.
2
Why should OBT receive special treatment? Almost every other arts organization in town has had to raise funds in this economy. OBT should have realized that there was a deficit a long time ago and worked to fix the problem. I love the ballet but I blame their situation on their inability to raise funds. It is the law of nonprofits.
3
The ballet should receives "special treatment" because the ballet is the only arts org in Portland currently on the brink of closure. A broad show of public support for this institution now will build the groundwork for a network of support for other institutions in need of help in the future.

I don't personally go see a lot of live music, but I can tell you that if someone who contributed to the Ballet now, in their time of need, later asked me to contribute $5 to $20 help one of our storied music institutions stay afloat, I sure as hell would. Same applies here.

Engage now in supporting this art form (regardless of your personal preference for it) and you earn the right to request Portland's support for your own pet form of Portland based creative expression. Zoobombers? Open Studios? PIFF? Whatever your passion is, contribute to building a network to save OBT now, and it will be there for you should your institution suddenly find itself in need of support.
4
Why should OBT receive more support than a sports team? That also employs and entertains people and does just as much for Portland's reputation? I think a public debate between you and Matt it called for...
5
I have a strange attraction to that girl on the left. I think it's her shoes.
6
I don't think the ballet should receive MORE support than sports, but parity sounds good to me. Major League soccer is getting millions.

In fact, I think Merritt Paulson should pony up the $750k in exchange for free ballet lessons for his soccer players.

It is a proven fact that pro athletes who take ballet increase their flexibility, core strength and agility and decrease their on field injuries. It would be a good investment on his part.

Plus I bet the arts community would officially stop pitching a fit at the whole MLS craziness if Paulson showed a little karmic generosity. Matt! Get on it!
7
Lots of good comment and discussion here.

The "sports versus arts" debate is fruitless. Ballet is not a major league sport, and major league sports are not ballet. Each serves a unique and special function in the life of a city.

Now: whether every major American metropolitan city can sustain all forms of arts institutions AND major league sports team is the real question. Does Portland have the capital and the desire to sustain these things?

Let's also be clear: the type of support OBT is seeking is out-of-pocket financial support from citizens: NOT new government funding, additional tax breaks (they're already a non-profit), or a diversion of funds from other city programs/projects.

I don't have a close reading of how "the arts community" feels on the Paulson/Major League Soccer deal, but to suggest that a paltry $750k tip from Paulson would be a) healthy for OBT to accept, or b) be a miraculous salve for the organization is an argument I don't buy.

This is the type of situation that truly tests the mettle of any arts organization. OBT needs to *work* to raise the $750k to finish this season without closing. It should also be completely transparent with the arts and arts philanthropy communities about what it's doing to avoid disaster in the future (in addition to the huge budget cuts it has announced for next season).

I *do* very much agree with Portland Center Stage's Trisha Pancio, when she writes that contributing to saving OBT now shows a commitment to supporting an arts organization in need, and that investment always pays dividends.

Also, I find it interesting that the company made a big deal out of hiring a new Director of Development (fundraising), Michelle Reynolds, only last September - OBT touted her hire as a way it was showing its organizational strength and fundraising savvy. Reynolds left the organization without explanation after only six months on the job.

That's cause for concern.
8
If you'd like to put a face (errr...voice) to the name. Here's a radio interview I did last week with Christopher Stowell, OBT's artistic director. http://www.metroscopepdx.com
9
Ballet is a form of entertainment utilizing the art form of dance. Another example: The city and local businesses don't subsidize local jazz clubs. Isn't jazz a form of entertainment utilizing the art form of music? Do we see public appeals for $250,000 donations to local jazz clubs to keep their doors open? No. The Mercury's editor would probably laugh at such a suggestion. Ballet does NOT appeal to the masses. It is something supported by those with too much disposable income who want to feel self-important. If the OBT cannot support itself, then it is time for it's curtain call.

Please wait...

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