It would be complacent to come to the conclusion that there is no need to worry, but so far the arts are proving to be recession-proof.
Tag: 02.01.09
Chicago Arts Groups Doing Fine In Downturn
“We’re looking at a different kind of situation than after the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy, when people cocooned and therefore did affect attendance in a big way. That’s not the case now–people are going out and looking for value, for things that are affordable.”
Recession Theatre
“Apparently, sales of baked beans rise during a recession. It’s not just to do with the fact that beans on toast is cheap. It’s also a search after something reassuring from our childhood days. When times are bad people want the equivalent of comfort food in the theatre too.”
Picasso Keeps French Up All Night
“Parisians, who are legendarily allergic to queuing, waited patiently into the early hours over the weekend to see the final, all-night sessions of a triumphantly successful exhibition of Picasso paintings. Despite sub-zero temperatures, crowds besieged the Grand Palais, just off the Champs Elysées, until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights – part of a recessionary boom in demand for cultural activities which is puzzling, and delighting, the French arts industry.”
Report: RCMP Paid $20,000 For Info On Art Theft
“The person rewarded was not a suspect in the heist, meaning the money was not an incentive to the perpetrator or perpetrators of the crime to ensure the safe return of the Haida artist’s works.”
Producers: Some Slumdog Profits Will Go To Poor Of Mumbai
“This is our chance to give something back to an extraordinary city which has helped us produce an extraordinary film. We came up with it once we realised what a success the film was becoming after the Golden Globes.”
Report: Brain Fires to Match Suggestion Of Activities In Stories
“Reading a book triggers an active response in a person’s brain, replicating the activity described in the story, a study by Washington University researchers in St. Louis, Mo., indicates.”
Orlando Ballet Adapts To Stay Intact
“The company came into the 2008-09 season about $500,000 in the red and has cut costs, including losing some administrative positions and jettisoning the Orlando Philharmonic accompaniment for its Nutcracker performances, to bring itself back into the black. Its success in doing so has resulted in the part of the company the audience sees — its troupe of 29 dancers — remaining ‘completely intact’.”
What Recession? Superbowl Ads Set Record
“The ads have sold for between $2.4 million and $3 million per 30-second slot this year. The network said its total of $261 million in ad revenue for all of Super Bowl day is a record, calling it an especially impressive feat in the middle of the economy’s steep downturn.”
£50m Titian Sale To UK Is Official
Despite a public campaign, almost all the money has come from public funds, with a substantial donation from the Scottish Government – £17.5m, according to some sources. Ian Davidson, MP for Glasgow South West, said: “They are closing schools in Glasgow because they can’t afford to repair them, yet we can find millions to give to one of Britain’s richest men.”