http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2009/06/01/why-save-obt-an-impassioned-screed Comments On: Why Save OBT? An Impassioned Screed by Stephen Marc Beaudoin en-us Copyright 2009 Portland Mercury. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, Portland Mercury readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact Portland Mercury. webmaster@portlandmercury.com (Portland Mercury Webmaster) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 -0800 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:45:00 -0800 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Posted by If it can't support itself, BYE BYE]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:09:02 -0700 Portland Mercury http://www.metroscopepdx.com
Posted by T3FMonkey]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:03:25 -0700 Portland Mercury
The "sports versus arts" debate is fruitless. Ballet is not a major league sport, and major league sports are not ballet. Each serves a unique and special function in the life of a city.

Now: whether every major American metropolitan city can sustain all forms of arts institutions AND major league sports team is the real question. Does Portland have the capital and the desire to sustain these things?

Let's also be clear: the type of support OBT is seeking is out-of-pocket financial support from citizens: NOT new government funding, additional tax breaks (they're already a non-profit), or a diversion of funds from other city programs/projects.

I don't have a close reading of how "the arts community" feels on the Paulson/Major League Soccer deal, but to suggest that a paltry $750k tip from Paulson would be a) healthy for OBT to accept, or b) be a miraculous salve for the organization is an argument I don't buy.

This is the type of situation that truly tests the mettle of any arts organization. OBT needs to *work* to raise the $750k to finish this season without closing. It should also be completely transparent with the arts and arts philanthropy communities about what it's doing to avoid disaster in the future (in addition to the huge budget cuts it has announced for next season).

I *do* very much agree with Portland Center Stage's Trisha Pancio, when she writes that contributing to saving OBT now shows a commitment to supporting an arts organization in need, and that investment always pays dividends.

Also, I find it interesting that the company made a big deal out of hiring a new Director of Development (fundraising), Michelle Reynolds, only last September - OBT touted her hire as a way it was showing its organizational strength and fundraising savvy. Reynolds left the organization without explanation after only six months on the job.

That's cause for concern.
Posted by Stephen Marc Beaudoin]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:16:34 -0700 Portland Mercury
In fact, I think Merritt Paulson should pony up the $750k in exchange for free ballet lessons for his soccer players.

It is a proven fact that pro athletes who take ballet increase their flexibility, core strength and agility and decrease their on field injuries. It would be a good investment on his part.

Plus I bet the arts community would officially stop pitching a fit at the whole MLS craziness if Paulson showed a little karmic generosity. Matt! Get on it!
Posted by tpancio]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:31:33 -0700 Portland Mercury Posted by dirigibleduck]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:39:50 -0700 Portland Mercury Posted by Stu]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:34:19 -0700 Portland Mercury
I don't personally go see a lot of live music, but I can tell you that if someone who contributed to the Ballet now, in their time of need, later asked me to contribute $5 to $20 help one of our storied music institutions stay afloat, I sure as hell would. Same applies here.

Engage now in supporting this art form (regardless of your personal preference for it) and you earn the right to request Portland's support for your own pet form of Portland based creative expression. Zoobombers? Open Studios? PIFF? Whatever your passion is, contribute to building a network to save OBT now, and it will be there for you should your institution suddenly find itself in need of support.
Posted by tpancio]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:23:53 -0700 Portland Mercury Posted by Sandra D]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:12:00 -0700 Portland Mercury Posted by Demondog]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:07:31 -0700 Portland Mercury