<BR>Promo Image from the Walker Art Center<P><BR>A dire situation in the Twin Cities?<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><B>A Delicate Dance</B><P>A funding process geared toward helping young choreographers may be hurting midcareer artists and audiences alike.<P>MATT PEIKEN, St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press<P>Dance is among mankind's oldest forms of communication, but when it comes to modern and contemporary movement, few people in the Twin Cities are getting the language.<BR>There are nearly 70 companies and independent choreographers producing local work, making it one of the most vibrant scenes in the country. But few producers draw audiences outside of friends, family and other dancers, and even the most seasoned voices say they haven't done much to educate a public intimidated by the boundless possibilities of abstract dance.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><A HREF="http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/tod/justgo/docs/009197.htm" TARGET=_blank><B>More</B></A>

An interesting development in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><B>The arts move to the suburbs<BR>The Twins Cities' monopoly on the arts faces competition from venues on the edges of the metro area</B><P>Cynthia Boyd, Pioneer Planet<P>For generations, lovers of the arts have traveled to Minneapolis or St. Paul to attend the theater, visit art galleries, watch the ballet or take art classes. Now as populations grow and spread, arts makers and patrons are adding suburban venues to their lists of places to visit and fund.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><A HREF="http://www.pioneerplanet.com/yhoo/mtc_docs/034599.htm" TARGET=_blank><B>More</B></A>

Is this a trend towards wider ditribution of arts performances seen in other cities? Belive it or not, in the UK some 80% of dance performers live in London.

In Texas several years ago, Harris County and the City of Houston commissioned a task force to examine every aspect of the community's cultural life and develop a ground plan for the next decade. Several of us lobbied extensively for a program that would encourage companies to take professional arts events to underserved areas of the county.<P>This was one of the recommendations that was implemented, and was the first time the county channeled any funding to the arts. It was fairly successful, to the point where, after the first year, the County increased its level of funding by 50%.<BR>

From the Boston Globe:<P><B>Samurai governor' Ventura pares arts funding</B><P><BR>By Patrick Howe, Associated Press, 5/27/2002<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>MINNEAPOLIS - Before Governor Jesse Ventura vetoed a $24 million bond for the Guthrie Theater, this art-loving city's cultural center was preparing to order steel for its new home. <P>Now its leaders are scrambling to decide if the project will survive - an unpleasant line of thinking shared by arts initiatives around the country that have been squeezed by state budget cuts.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><A HREF="http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/147/living/_Samurai_governor_Ventura_pares_arts_funding+.shtml" TARGET=_blank><B>MORE...</B></A><BR>

I find this sad. The Guthrie is one of the most important theatres in the country and many new plays are tried out there. Also, doesn't culture create revenue in that it attracts tourism to downtown, stimulating restuarant and museum business as well? I would see this as an investment for future earnings. But I know many states are hurting right now. Here in Washington, state, city and county government departments are scrambling to make deep budget cuts in parks departments, transporatations, library and schools. Tough times, indeed. P.S. Doesnt' anyone find it odd that there is always money to build multi-BILLION dollar sports temples, (ie baseball, football), but never enough money for what SHOULD be the pillars of civiliation, ie, education, arts and social services...hmmmmm. Sad. For example, when I travel abroad, and folks find out we're from Seattle, they want to talk about Seattle music right away. Jimi Hendrix, Experience Music Project (new museum), the legacy of Nirvana, etc. They don't ask me about the football or basketball teams, you know what I mean?<P><p>[This message has been edited by trina (edited May 27, 2002).]