Support your local theatre

Guess what? The economy is in the toilet! Yeah, I know it's a big news flash, but it is. People are losing their jobs, industries are scaling back, and guess where it's gonna hit the hardest. The arts. If future generations measure the merits of a civilization by their artistic accomplishments, and by and large they do, it's important now more than ever to shore up the arts in our communities. Theatres across the country are scaling back or even closing their doors. Recently two local professional theatres have announced major cuts, and the storm isn't over.

State and federal budget cuts are inevitable. And as usually happens, the first thing that will be cut is funding for the arts. Most of these organizations are not-for-profit resources to the community. Frequently nonprofit theatres raise only half of their annual budgets through ticket sales (give or take). In the best of times, arts organizations rely heavily on government, corporate, and private contributions...and in the worst of times, when the government cuts its budget and corporations are losing money, the arts organizations are forced to either scale back or go out of business. Those that do weather the storm only do so because of the generosity of the people who understand the value of arts in our communities.

So find an arts organization in your community--one whose work you value--and go! Buy a ticket to a show. Take your family to the art museum. Participate in the arts. And then donate. Be as generous as you can. And send your contribution with a lovely letter telling them how important they are to you, to your children, and to the community.