Culturally afloat: Missoula has not seen as big a drop in funding as other communities

Across the country, headlines during the holiday season were grim when it came to the arts.

The Cincinnati Ballet was forced to sell half-price tickets and cancel one performance of its annual production of “The Nutcracker” because of poor sales. The Sacramento Bee reported that the local ballet company was seeing ticket sales for its “Nutcracker” falling off by a third from typical years.

And in one city – Baltimore – the local opera company filed for bankruptcy, the biggest theater company cut two jobs, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra laid off five full-time staffers, and the Chamber Orchestra canceled two of its spring concerts and asked performers to donate their services without pay for another concert.

All those organizations blamed the national economic downturn for their struggles.

Given that broad cultural context, leaders at several of Missoula’s professional arts organizations are breathing a cautious sigh of relief as they tally results from their year-end fundraising efforts and count tickets that were sold to events during the holiday season.

By JOE NICKELL of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2009/01/25/news/top/news01.txt

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Mixed economic bag for western Montana nonprofits

By MICHAEL MOORE of the Missoulian

It’s no secret that hard times often bring out the best in people.

But with the economy in turmoil, is that the case when it comes to charitable giving to nonprofit groups that help the needy? Are people still giving, and is it enough?

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2009/01/25/news/local/news02.txt