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First up is a story that was in the New York Times<\/em> about pension funds for artists. The idea of helping artists create a retirement nest egg seems like a good concept to explore with students.<\/p>\n Related to this topic, I want to bring to your attention a 2015 book by David Maurice Sharp called The Thriving Artist<\/em><\/a>. I\u2019m contemplating incorporating sections of Sharp\u2019s book in my classes, with an eye toward helping our arts management students be better prepared to manage their personal finances.<\/p>\n The \u201cWomen take the helm\u201d story seems like a good stimulus for a quick research project. Having students explore the profiles of the arts leaders in their communities could lead to some interesting discussions.<\/p>\n The last article focuses on the recent demise of the San Jose Ballet. As is often the case, there were multiple issues in play that resulted in the doors closing. It is seldom just about the money. There are not a lot of details in this story so I added two other links to give a little more context to the SJB closing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By Braden Phillips, www.nytimes.com, March 4th, 2016<\/p>\n For many artists, building castles in the sky would be a fair way to describe retirement planning.<\/em><\/p>\n Ten years ago, the New York-based program Artist Pension Trust contacted artists with this unusual idea: Give us some of your artworks as assets and rather than sell them as soon as possible, as a gallery would, we will hold them for future sale, probably at least for 10 years. In this way, artists could invest in their future security and benefit from a potential increase in the value of their work.<\/em><\/p>\n LINK: http:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2016\/03\/06\/business\/retirementspecial\/a-pension-plan-for-the-creative-class.html<\/p>\n David Maurice Sharp, Focal Press, 2015<\/p>\n Sharp\u2019s short book packs a great deal into its 31 chapters. Developing good financial habits, better understanding taxes, and knowing more about mutual funds are just a few of the topics covered. Granted, the book wasn\u2019t written with arts managers in mind, but I found dozens of places where I thought, \u201cOh, that would be good for my students to know.\u201d<\/p>\n LINK: https:\/\/www.routledge.com\/products\/9781138809178<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n By Janet Smith, www.straight.com<\/a>, March 2, 2016<\/p>\n Tuesday (March 8) is International Women\u2019s Day, and while there\u2019s often a lot of attention paid to successful women in business and politics, rarely do we step back and marvel at women\u2019s contribution to arts.<\/em><\/p>\n The fact is a sea change is going on in the biggest cultural institutions in the city\u2014almost all of which are, or are about to be, run by women.<\/em><\/p>\n Kathleen Bartels already serves as director at the Vancouver Art Gallery and is spearheading its move to a new landmark. Emily Molnar is artistic director at Ballet B.C., and has steered the company toward growth\u2014including tours to the U.S. and Europe. And the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra recently brought in Kelly Tweeddale, former executive director of Seattle Opera, as president.<\/em><\/p>\n LINK: http:\/\/www.straight.com\/arts\/650126\/women-take-helm-major-arts-groups<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By Karen D’souza, www.mercurynews.com<\/a>, March 9, 2016<\/p>\n After three decades in the spotlight, Silicon Valley Ballet has finally danced its swan song. The leaders of South Bay’s major resident dance company, which has long teetered on the brink of ruin, confirmed Tuesday that the troupe is closing its doors.<\/em><\/p>\n News of the $5.5 million company’s demise, which impacts an estimated 32 staff members and 32 dancers, has left many in the arts community saddened if not shocked, and comes in the wake of the death of San Jose Repertory Theatre in 2014. The ballet’s closing raises questions anew about the stability of the arts in Silicon Valley, despite its status as capital of the tech world.<\/em><\/p>\n LINK: http:\/\/www.mercurynews.com\/entertainment\/ci_29610629\/silicon-valley-ballet-shuts-down<\/p>\n Additional Stories:<\/p>\n Ballet Silicon Valley shutting down after 30 years<\/a><\/p>\nA Pension Plan for the Creative Class<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
The Thriving Artist (and Arts Manager. . .)<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
Women take the helm at major arts groups<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
Silicon Valley Ballet shutdown — ‘the writing was on the wall’<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n