A comment in response to the blog posting "Waiting for a new business model for the arts." on Jumper: Diane Ragsdale on what the arts do and why.
What I hear, when I hear people say “the model is broken” is that the money they feel they are entitled to as arts organizations isn't getting to them. That for some reason, the money for the grants they are writing is given to other people, or that enough money is just not being allocated to the arts in the first place. The model that was set up to get them money isn't getting it to them as such, the model is broken.
What I mean, when I say that the model is broken, is that its a stupid system. The model itself from the get go is wrong and broken.
I come from a family of small business owners. At the end of the day, theatre companies, much as they like to deny it ARE businesses. People will pay money, or support your business, if you offer them a product worth their time and money.
“But we can’t cover all of our expenses for a season from ticket sales alone!”
Thats not my problem, nor the governments, nor the audiences. Produce within your means. Figure it out. Theatre companies will survive, and thrive, I think, if they focus on producing a product worth the time and money of whatever audience they are speaking too. (Audiences are not universal, nor should they be.)
The expectation that the government, corporations, or the generosity of others should fund your business has never made much sense to me.
The model is broken.
