Arts In Crisis

In response to the tough economic times facing the nation’s arts community, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced that it will expand on existing arts management programs to provide Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative. 

The economic downturn has affected companies and organizations of all sizes, in all communities, and from all disciplines.  Endowments, earned, and contributed income have all been reduced and many organizations are struggling to retain their staff or even keep their doors open.

The program is open to non-profit 501(c)(3) performing arts organizations who are struggling during the current economic crisis.  The program will provide free and confidential counsel in fundraising, building more effective Boards of Trustees, budgeting, marketing, and other areas pertinent to maintaining a vital performing arts organization during a troubled economy.

“We’re experiencing an economic downturn that is more severe than any that I have experienced in my career,” said Kennedy Center president Michael Kaiser in a recent article in Variety magazine. “I fear for the health of the arts ecology of this country.”

Any performing arts organization can sign up for the free consultations, which may range from simple email conversation to web chats, phone conversations, or site visits.  Companies who would like to participate should visit the Arts in Crisis website  and submit an online request.  Michael Kaiser, along with the heads of the Kennedy Center's development & fundraising, marketing, finance, information technology, and education departments will participate. 
Prior to his tenure at the Kennedy Center, Kaiser was an arts management consultant who earned a reputation for restoring the health of struggling arts groups including the American Ballet Theater, , Kansas City Ballet and London’s Royal Opera House.   He started the Kennedy Center Institute for Arts Management, a training center which provides fellowships and internships to arts managers and the board members of arts organizations.
"These are times of economic crisis and, as the nation's center for the performing arts, we wish to help,” says Kaiser. "If any arts organization in the United States believes we can assist, the senior staff of the Kennedy Center and I offer our collective skills. We are at your service.”