A case for stimulus money for OOB

From Erez Ziv

I think as a community we have a great argument to make for getting some of the money the government is going to be handing out shortly.

We can keep people in the city at relatively low wages. Many people who work in finance as administrators and personal assistants would jump at the chance of working in an arts organization even if it means taking a pay cut. I know people who have made that leap from 50-60k working in the financial sector to 30k working for non-profits (back when finance work was plentiful) and were quite happy about it. Now those finance jobs are no longer secure and departments are being cut for efficiency.

For the amount of money it takes the government to sustain a person on unemployment they can almost sustain them in a non-profit job that will in turn create more local spending.

I think this is the direction we should be pushing in, I don't think corporate funding is going to be any easier. However, the government has money they need to spend, we just need to talk them into spending it our way.

Erez Ziv
Co-Founder / Managing Director
Horse Trade Theater Group

Obama hosts poetry slam!

Tonight, President and Mrs. Obama will host the White Houses' first ever poetry slam. During his campaign, Obama promised support to the arts not only through grants and funding, but through appreciation.

This is the first gesture of that promise.

New Economy Smack Down

On May 13th, The Field and Galapagos Art Space are sponsoring an event called The New Economy Smack Down. They have assembled a double panel of "cultural stakeholders, entrepreneurs and gatekeepers" to participate in "lively debate, truth-telling, and prophesizing" about art and its place in the new economy.

I certainly hope they will be discussing the Mayor's plan for not-for-profits in NYC (see previous posting).

It looks to be an interesting conversation and perhaps some solutions and suggestions will arise from this.

Check out the Field's website for more information.

Wednesday, May 13, 7pm
at Galapagos Art Space
FREE with RSVP, plus cash bar!!!

Also check out the Economic Revitalization for Performing Artists blog.

Tribute to Tom O'Horgan

In January, our good friend Tom O'Horgan passed away. Tom was a really lovely person, a true visionary and a determined artist. He was the first director to have four productions running simultaneously on Broadway (Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Lenny and Inner City) and his passion and talent helped ignite the OOB movement.

On May 3rd (what would have been Tom's 85th birthday) his friends gathered at Union Square to dedicate a park bench to Tom, which now displays a memorial plaque in his honor. He would often strolled with companions through the park engaging in heated discussions about the theatre and life.

After the dedication friends, colleagues and admirers met at LaMaMa to pay tribute and remember this amazing person. We feel honored to have been able to know him and recognize his work. We will truly miss him.

Robert Patrick Shares a Memory of Tom O'Horgan
Tom O'Horgan has left the city - by Shay Gines
Spotlight on Tom O'Horgan

Mayor's plan for non-profits in NYC

On April 6th, Mayor Bloomberg announced his "new initiatives to help New York City nonprofits cope with (the) cash crunch as a result of the economic downturn."

The press release lays out the Mayor's plan to provide services and resources for the more than 40,000 cultural, health and social nonprofit organizations in NYC. It addresses issues such as; reducing fixed costs, improving the city's contracting procedures (so that non-profits have a better chance when competing for city contracts), and providing dedicated support for nonprofits.

While the Mayor has identified areas where the city will be directing its efforts, there were few details about specific initiatives or programs.

Several Community Boards have expressed their intent to respond to the Mayor's efforts and will be drafting letters that suggest improvements, specific programs and additional initiatives.

So, here is your chance OOB -- Do you think the Mayor's 10-point plan provides for our community? What are your suggestions?

We will compile a list of suggestions and comments and present them to the Community Boards.

Community Board Responds to NYSCA Cuts

On April 1, 2009, the Theatre Task Force for Community Board 4 put forward a letter to Governor Paterson addressing the cuts to the 2009 second round of New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Funding. The letter calls on the Governor to "restore the NYSCA funds" and says that smaller theatres "enhance New York's competitive edge."

The letter to Governor Patterson cites two studies from the New York Innovative Theatre Awards and the Alliance for the Arts.

The full letter and more info are here.