The Fine Arts Fund, which sets its annual goal with an eye to what the local economy can bear, increases its goal by a mere 1 percent over last year.

        This year's Fund General Chairman Craig F. Maier, president and CEO of Frisch's Restaurants, announced a $9,275,000 fund-raising goal from the stage of Music Hall on Sunday. It was the finale to the Fine Arts Sampler Weekend that annually kicks off the 10-week campaign.

        “We will exceed the goal. This is a base level,” Mr. Maier says confidently. “We're going to blow through the goal. Prior to 9-11, I was expecting to set a goal of $10 million.

        “I don't expect it to be a struggle, I'm going to see that everyone has a really good time.”

        Rick Jones is executive director of the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton, an associate member of the fund that was awarded $35,500 in 2001. The small increase, he says, “is consistent with what's happening across the (national) fund-raising community because of the recession and 9-11.

        “We're all making adjustments and cutting back wherever we can.”

        The Fine Arts Fund primarily supports the operating budgets of the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Contemporary Arts Center, May Festival and Taft Museum of Art.

        The campaign continues through April 24.

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