It’s Official: Many Orchestras Are Now Charities

[pherank]

I major change for many orchestras in the U.S., but  I think there is definitely a positive aspect to this new status - more local community involvement and guidance from art organizations:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/16/arts/music/its-official-many-orchestras-are-now-charities.html

[dirac]

Thank you for posting this, pherank. Yes, it's a bad news-good news kind of thing, isn't it? From the article:

Quote

These changes have forced orchestras to change everything from how they organize their staffs to how they define their missions. The new report and interviews with players, administrators and union officials paint a picture of a field in transition, with some ensembles struggling, some doing well, and nearly all trying to adapt as classical music’s footprint in the broader culture shrinks. This season has already had a long strike by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra; a 48-hour strike by the storied Philadelphia Orchestra; and a bitter, continuing strike here by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, a top-notch ensemble that raised this city’s profile even during the most painful days of its deindustrialization.

 

[sandik]

I thought the headline was a bit ambiguous -- almost all music ensembles have been "charities" for years, that is, they've been incorporated as 501 (c) 3 non-profits, in order to solicit and accept tax exempt donations and be eligible for government funding.  They've buried their actual lead, which is the dynamic balance between earned and donated income.  This distinction is a big deal, especially when it comes to programming and budgeting.  As costs continue to rise, ensembles need to raise more money somehow -- we see ticket prices rise regularly, but that's not enough to close the budget gap.