Why is per capita public and private funding for our region's arts and culture activities so low?
That was a key question raised as part of a panel discussion and forum yesterday morning hosted by the Portland Business Alliance [0] on the local link between business and the arts.
The Portland region ranks 24th in per capita public funding for the arts and 30th in private per capita arts support.
"The links between the arts and business are key," said Chris Rasmussen, President of Washington Trust Bank, at the community forum. "Locally, over $262 million in wages, taxes and direct spending, 2300 jobs and 13,000 businesses and organizations are directly related to arts and cultural activities."
Moderator Eric Parsons, CEO, The Standard, early on asked a good tough question, "You say you need more funding but ticket prices are already pretty high?"
"Arts are expensive, tickets are not cheap, yet local arts organizations are running significant deficits," said Chris Mattaliano, General Director, Portland Opera. "What most people do not know is that ticket prices cover only about 30 to 50%; if the Opera charged for tickets based on actual costs - assuming no sponsorships - a ticket would cost about $260."
Chris Coleman, Artistic Director, Portland Center Stage, answered Parson's question about why contributions to the arts are so low. "We quote the statistics, but nothing happens, maybe people don't believe us...maybe
[0] we need to better document and publicize the case for how the arts contribute to this great place we live and how to keep and attract top notch talent."
You and your company can help. Give through the Work for Art [1] giving campaign. The city will match your contribution dollar for dollar up to $200,000.