Industry Pro Newsletter: NYC's $210M Cultural Boost & Funding Cuts in Scotland

This week, we look at Richard Ridge’s upcoming discussion on Broadway poster art at the NYPL to New York City’s 2025 budget allocations for the arts. Regional and international stories highlight key initiatives and challenges, including Everyman Theatre’s efforts to enhance accessibility via pay-what-you-choose and Scotland’s funding crisis, which threatens the future of UK theater.

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Executive Director - Colonial Performing Arts Center

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Industry Trends

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to Discuss Broadway Poster Art at NYPL

BroadwayWorld’s Richard Ridge will host a discussion on the artistry of Broadway poster and window card design at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts on September 30, 2024. The event will feature prominent theater poster designers, including Frank Verlizzo, James McMullan, and Paul Davis. Author Nicholas van Hoogstraten will also showcase rare images from his upcoming book on Broadway poster art.

Broadway/New York

New York City Celebrates More Than $210 Million In Funding At 80 Cultural Nonprofits Citywide 

New York City has allocated over $210 million to support 80 cultural nonprofits across the city as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Major beneficiaries include The Art Students League, which received $4.3 million for its 150th-anniversary renovation, the Queens Museum, Joyce Theater, and Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater. These investments aim to bolster cultural infrastructure, enhance public access, and preserve historic institutions. The funding is part of broader efforts under the Adams administration, which has invested over $650 million in cultural projects citywide.

Regional 

Everyman Theatre Introduces New Initiatives, Including Pay-What-You-Choose Expansion

Baltimore's Everyman Theatre has announced several new initiatives for the 2024-25 season, including the expansion of its "Pay-What-You-Choose" program to make theater more accessible. The theater also plans to introduce relaxed performances and post-show discussions aimed at engaging the community. The initiatives reflect Everyman Theatre’s commitment to inclusivity and community involvement.

American Theatre: Three-City Artistic Director Charles Fee Announces Retirement

Charles Fee, the long-serving artistic director of the three-city partnership between Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theater, and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, has announced his retirement at the end of the 2024 season. Fee, who has led the collaboration for over 20 years, is recognized for his transformative leadership and contributions to regional theater. His retirement marks the end of an era for the organizations he has significantly impacted.

International

The Stage: Scotland’s Arts Funding Emergency is a Threat to the Very Roots of UK Theatre

Creative Scotland announced it would close its Open Fund for Individuals by the end of August due to a £6.6 million shortfall from Holyrood. This decision, made during the Edinburgh Festival, raises concerns about the future of freelancers in the arts. The timing of the announcement contrasts with the British Council's efforts to promote UK theatre to international delegates. The funding crisis threatens the long-term sustainability of Scottish arts, sending a negative message to emerging artists considering a career in the industry.

Missed our last few newsletters?

August 19, 2024 - Theatre's Post-Pandemic Rhythm, Aurora Saves Their Season

This week we have stories from the decline of traditional intervals in London productions to significant organizational changes in regional and international theaters. Other stories include the financial challenges faced by Berkeley's Aurora Theatre, the preservation efforts for Washington's National Theatre, and the strategic rebranding of arts organizations globally. Each piece reflects the dynamic landscape of the performing arts as it adapts to new audience expectations, financial realities, and the need for cultural preservation.

August 12, 2024 - Legal Battles, Leadership Changes, and Financial Struggles
This week’s newsletter delves into the challenges and transformations facing the theater industry across multiple levels. From legal battles and leadership changes to financial struggles and community impacts, the stories highlight the ongoing tension between tradition and adaptation. In New York, leadership transitions at Lincoln Center signal a new chapter, while regional theaters like Timeline and Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival push forward with ambitious projects despite financial hurdles. Internationally, theaters like the Bristol Old Vic and the Old Vic in London grapple with ethical and economic dilemmas that could reshape their futures.

August 5, 2024 - Economic Barriers and Ballet: 2024 Data Reports Highlight Challenges

In this week's newsletter, we look at national trends impacting arts organizations, including financial shifts and attendance barriers from three different data sources. Moving to New York, we cover Soho Rep's relocation, Signature Theatre's interim leadership, and Under the Radar Festival's upcoming season. On the regional front, we spotlight a generous donation to theaters and key leadership changes at Pioneer and Cygnet Theatre. Finally, we look at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe's power outage.

BroadwayWorld Resources

BroadwayWorld Stage Mag - A Fully Interactive Show Program

The digital solution to your show program needs - want to see what's possible? Check out the Stage Mag's for A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and for The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)! Then start building your own at stagemag.broadwayworld.com.

Add Your Show to our Regional Events Calendar

As audiences get set to return to in-person performances, and as your company works to market your own return to the stage, make sure you've got your upcoming shows in our regional events calendars. Listings are free of charge, with boosting options available. Get your show listed now

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