Monday, February 15, 1999
Arts Fund aims high for 50th anniversary
BY JACKIE DEMALINE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Fine Arts Fund sets its sights on $8,307,924 for its 1999 goal, a whopping 10 percent increase over last year with Procter & Gamble president and chief executive Durk Jager leading the campaign.
This year's goal is double the usual 5 percent increase and the largest percentage increase for the fund in 16 years. The leap, says campaign director Susan Dorward, is because 1999 is “a special year,” the fund's 50th anniversary.
The additional 5 percent could suggest the establishment of more concrete support for the region's second-tier arts organizations with perhaps as much as $300,000 available.
Asked whether that will happen, Ms. Dorward says: “I can't answer that. What we hope to accomplish is broadening the reach of the arts into the community.
“Whether that's through more programming by the larger arts organizations, expansion of smaller arts or more educational opportunities, I can't say.”
The 10-week fund drive, continuing through April 29, provides significant support to eight large arts institutions: Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Contemporary Arts Center, May Festival, Playhouse in the Park and Taft Museum.
Proceeds from the fund provide as much as 20 percent of the annual budgets of some member organizations.
Playhouse in the Park producing artistic director Ed Stern and Cincinnati Symphony president Steven Monder put a human face on the funding.
“If we didn't have the support,” Mr. Stern says, “we could do everything the same. We could have the sets, the costumes, the administration, we could pay for royalties. We just wouldn't be able to have any actors.”
“The Fine Arts Fund contribution,” Mr. Monder says, “provides general operating support which is the toughest money to raise.
“What's general operating expense? It's the electricity. It's the rent. It's CSO concerts for 33,000 school kids. The Fine Arts Fund contribution amounts to almost 10 percent of the CSO's operating budget.”
Last year the CSO was awarded $2.3 million of its $26 million budget. “It's a lot of money,” Mr. Monder says. “For the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the support is invaluable.”
Contributions can be made by mail to: Fine Arts Fund, Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts, 2649 Erie Ave., Cincinnati 45208.
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