Theatre Management Article #1: Saving the Arts in Southeastern Michigan

Here's something I thought was interesting and really making use of the "latest technology".

Article: http://freep.com/article/20090828/ENT05/90828069/1115/Ent05/Arts

It seems that for the Arts in America, the times are always tough. Yet the current economic climate can easily be considered the worst in decades. With dozens, if not hundreds, of arts and cultural organizations loosing funding and closing shop nation wide, it's inspiring to see hope in one of the nation's hardest hit states - Michigan.

Ah, Detroit, an iconic city representative of the boom of American industry and the poster child of the fall of America's manufacturing might. With the majority of coporate sponsors all but ending their support of the arts cold turkey, it seems the people of Southeastern Michigan are not ready to give up the fight yet. The Community Foundation Challenge, which was run completely online, proved just how much the people of this region care about their culture. With approximately $4.8 Million raised and donated to 75 different cultural groups, it seems that if there is one thing worth fighting for, its the culture of this place.

I personally find this story to be inspiring. In the midst of the dispair that seems to be the nation's image of Detroit (and Michigan in general), the people have spoken up and shown that the individual is concerned for the preservation of their local arts community. In addition, this should (hopefully) serve as a role model for other regions. A symbiotic relationship is formed between the arts and the community they serve. It would be prudent for the artistic and cultural organizations of any community to reach out to their patrons and make it clear that, without the previous corporate sponserships, it's now or never, and if the individual person wishes to see their local culture survive, they should do their best to support it.

I was forced

I had to make a blog for my Theatre Managment class.

Sure, I could have used my LJ, or the blogs on CB, but instead, I went this route. Let it begin.