Posted by David on January 24, 2003 at 20:46:19:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Houston Symphony Cutting Jobs, Salaries posted by Joe Baker on January 24, 2003 at 18:19:37:
There seems to be some sort of opinion that the new stadiums, yes stadiums, were forced on the people. That is not true. There was a vote taken and the people voted to build the new stadia. So, who's at fault? The government? Or the people?
The fact that many arts organizations are in trouble financially has less to do with government support of the arts than with poor business practices of the arts organizations themselves. Houston is no different than other major cities. Yes, it had ENRON, but it was an anomaly. Many businesses go bankrupt every year, and some of them bigger than Enron.
An arts organization is simply a business in the service business. If their service is not good, even if it is, and not well attended, then something is wrong. Since arts groups rely on donations for the majority of their income, good marketing is essential. Again, no one but the organization is responsible. Until they, and the members of that organization, take responsibility the problems will persist.
Arts organizations have become like many other entities. They operate under an entitlement mentality. The musicians feel they are entitled to big salaries, long paid vacations and that the government is responsible, since clearly their management is not, and should take care of them.
Businesses operate under a different set of rules. If the marketing, or product, or service, is wrong, the business files bankruptcy and ceases to exist. A business does not expect, nor should it, to have the government bail it out. Jobs are lost, fortunes gone, savings depleted. It happens every day. Do you blame the government, the economy, or the person?
Just my opinion.