Curtains?: The Future of the Arts in America

I am very conflicted as I finish Michael Kaiser's latest work. I think highly of him and find his advice and "rules" to be pragmatic and effective. "Curtains?" is a pessimistic view towards the future of performing arts organizations. While it's hard to argue the basis of some of his arguments: the growing role of the Internet and broadcast media in the arts, the loss of a generation of future arts course due to poor arts education - I feel they are often taken to extremes here.If you have read Mr. Kaiser's other work, there really is a little new here in terms of recommendations. He continues to espouse his (albeit well put) belief in quality art, marketed well, led by a committed board and supported by ambitious fundraising.As a representative of a small to midsized performing arts presenter, I sincerely hope that Mr. Kaiser's view that the majority of arts organizations that will exist in the future are the large ones, is wrong.

Michael Kaiser provides a lengthy introduction and sample experiences into where the management of the arts has come from and where it is now. This is an important foundational piece, as we explore ways for the arts to keep pace with an ever advancing environment. Clearly, competition from other activities available to the 21st century audiences will require adept managers, adequately prepared and experienced, to maneuver thru and establish a footing for the future.The title hinted at more about the future than the author ventured to propose. Understandably, predicting how, when and why things will evolve is not a science, but given Michael Kaiser's extensive experience, successes and development of smart phrases, I had expected more. Nonetheless, this is a work worthy of being in the library of today's and tomorrow's arts manager.

As executive director of a small but growing 20-year-old arts presenting organization I couldn't wait to receive Kaiser's newest book. Much of what he says parallels what I have been saying to my board and to the arts and cultural leaders in our community - but in a far more articulate and concise way.I am making a personal gift of the book to each of our organization's board members with the hope that they will read, assimilate, and hopefully share the book and the message it contains with others.

Michael M. Kaiser has managed to get to the heart of the challenges facing those of us who manage and support performing arts organizations. There is practical advice that should and must be heeded by non-profit arts companies no matter the size if they wish to exist in the future. Don't be put off by the preface: it is, perhaps, a sobering look at the state of the performing arts yet one that we need to see. As an arts administrator, I'm looking.

Except from the recent information, EVERYTHING is a blatant ripoff of my book, "Mozart in the Jungle." But who the hell would care about something a girl wrote, went to school to research, and RESEARCHED. I don't notice Kaiser has one goddam footnote. And guess what? I was the person actually IN the trenches, actually MAKING the noise.

As a board member of ACT Theatre it scared me. I would hate to see us those that treasure as well as the other performance venues. I am going to work hard to get young members to attend ACT and Pacific Northwest Ballet our other art home.

Always enjoy Kaiser's insightful books. The future presents loss of challenges and for sooner, some real opportunities. This is a must read for all arts leaders.

An effective dose of cool - no, make that cold water, on the future on the performing arts in America.