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…And We Didn’t Even Get A Kiss
The always sharp Joe Patti published an excellent article on 6/24/2013 that examines just little some governments care about culture. In particular, he examines the state of New Jersey’s hate-hate relationship with the arts by way of their decision to pilfer a dedicated arts tax.
Instead of providing more funding as more revenue comes in to the dedicated tax, the state is raking the excess revenue into the general coffers.
“…the tax generated more than $1.1 billion for state and local governments since it was introduced 10 years ago, but only $184 million has gone to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the largest of the four agencies that should have received a far bigger chunk of the money.
[...]
It’s a cautionary tale for supporters of a separate bill that would take a slice of the sales tax to fund the state’s open space and historic preservation programs, which have run out of money. It might look great on paper, but without the political will behind it, the promises are hollow.”
Patti then wonders whether the ongoing Minnesota Orchestra Association (MOA) labor dispute and the involvement of the Minnesota legislature may play out.
I don’t have any firm answers but I do know that the ordeal can go in a number of directions. On one hand, it could serve as impetus for the state to become far more involved with regulatory oversight into how nonprofit arts organizations are being governed. The increased transparency would help keep everything above board and focused on the institution’s mission rather than personal and/or ideological diversions.
On the other hand, the involvement will poison the well for state arts funding as future politicians use the debacle to justify dogma driven disposition against arts funding.
Regardless, nonsense like what’s transpiring in New Jersey goes a long way toward reinforcing the notion that the arts can easily be kicked around without repercussion. It will be interesting to see if New Jersey arts orgs mount any resistance.
"I hear that every time you show up to work with an orchestra, people get fired." Those were the first words out of an executive's mouth after her board chair introduced us. That executive is now a dear colleague and friend but the day that consulting contract began with her orchestra, she was convinced I was a hatchet-man brought in by the board to clean house. I understand where the trepidation comes from as a great deal of my consulting and technology provider work for arts organizations involves due diligence, separating fact from fiction, interpreting spin, as well as performance review and oversight. So yes, sometimes that work results in one or two individuals "aggressively embracing career change" but far more often than not, it reinforces and clarifies exactly what works and why. In short, it doesn't matter if you know where all the bodies are buried if you can't keep your own clients out of the ground, and I'm fortunate enough to say that for more than 15 years, I've done exactly that for groups of all budget size from Qatar to Kathmandu. For fun, I write a daily blog about the orchestra business, provide a platform for arts insiders to speak their mind, keep track of what people in this business get paid, help write a satirical cartoon about orchestra life, and love a good coffee drink. Which Social Network is best for travel industry?
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Cardinal Timothy Dolan's Mom Glad He Isn't New Pope
While there were predictions that Cardinal Timothy Dolan might become the new pope, there is at least one person happy that New York's archbishop won't be head of the Catholic Church. That person is his mother.
In a candid interview with KSDK.com, Shirley Dolan explained that during the recent papal transition, whenever commentators brought up her son potentially being chosen, she felt uneasy.
"The more they started talking about it over there, that's what really was getting me upset," Dolan told the news outlet. "It's not that he wouldn't have been good for the church, I know he would have and he would have done a great job, but I want him here."
The "Today" show's Matt Lauer caught up with Cardinal Dolan on Thursday and asked him about his mother's reaction. The cardinal laughed and blew his mother a kiss.
“I haven’t talked to Mom yet, but I send her my love,” Dolan told "Today."
On Wednesday, not long after Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was named Pope Francis, members of the press asked Dolan whether he was relieved that he had not been chosen as the new pope. The cardinal seemed to suggest he never thought he would be pope, at least not this time around.
“I’d like to say this, especially to the New York press: ‘I told ya so!’” Dolan said, according to CBS New York.
Still, some have already speculated that Dolan having his name floated for the papacy could bode well for his future. Terrence Tilley, chairman of the theology department at Fordham University, told the Wall Street Journal that it gives the cardinal a "boost that is quite remarkable."
"He becomes more of an influential person, a kingmaker in clerical and Vatican circles," Tilley said.
Also on HuffPost:Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Travis Fox Drank 5 Beers Before Allegedly Shaking 7-month Old Son To Death: Police
SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- An Arkansas man accused of fatally shaking two of his infant children in separate angry outbursts was charged Thursday with two counts of first-degree murder.
A 7-month-old baby was brought Wednesday to Northwest Medical Center, where doctors found the boy to have suspicious injuries.
Under questioning, the baby's father, Travis Fox, 24, of Springdale, told investigators "that he violently shook the child for an extended amount of time because the child was `fussing,'"police said in a news release.
"He demonstrated the shake and it was violent," the release said.
Authorities said Fox acknowledged that he drank five beers before shaking the baby.
While the baby's death was being investigated, Springdale officers learned that Fox was under investigation for the Sept. 4, 2011, death of another of his children, a 6-month-old boy.
A Washington County sheriff's detective interviewed Fox about the baby's death in 2011.
"Mr. Fox admitted that he shook his 6-month-old son for 30-45 seconds because he was `fussing,'" according to a prosecutor's report. "Mr. Fox said he was angered and tired because he was up for two days without sleep."
The report says Fox told the investigator that he admitted drinking tequila the day of the first death and that he'd tossed the child on a chair.
"Mr. Fox admitted he needs help for his anger," the report said.
It was unclear Thursday whether Fox had an attorney. He was being held without bond at the Washington County Jail.
Steven Jackson, Falcons Agree To 3-Year Deal
St. Louis Rams' Steven Jackson looks toward fans in the stands as he walks off the field following the Rams' 20-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Seattle. ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons found their replacement for Michael Turner on Thursday by agreeing to terms with Steven Jackson, considered the top free-agent running back, on a three-year, $12 million deal.
The 29-year-old Jackson had 1,042 yards rushing and four touchdowns with the Rams last season. It was his eighth straight season with more than 1,000 yards rushing.
"I think this is a very big signing for us," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff told The Associated Press. "It continues to bolster our offensive firepower. It gives us not only strength, power in running ability but also the versatility to catch out of the backfield, which is a very important part of this offense."
In separate posts on his Twitter feed, Jackson referred to Dimitroff and Falcons owner Arthur Blank as he thanked the Falcons for the new deal.
"To the AMAZING Atlanta Falcons Owner, GM & Management team, I SINCERELY THANK EACH OF YOU for making this happen. I EAGERLY anticipate 2013!" Jackson tweeted.
Jackson would have earned $7 million with the Rams in 2013 before he opted out of his contract to become a free agent.
He tweeted his thanks to the Rams "for believing in me & allowing me to be an integral part of this team for so many years."
Jackson's 10,135 yards rushing for his career are the most of any active player. He set career highs with 1,528 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns with St. Louis in 2006.
Turner's average of only 3.6 yards per carry last season set a career low. The Falcons released Turner, defensive end John Abraham and cornerback Dunta Robinson on March 1. He had 800 yards rushing, his low total in his five seasons in Atlanta.
Jackson averaged 4.1 yards per carry with the Rams and gives Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan another receiver to target. Jackson had at least 38 catches in each of his last eight seasons in St. Louis.
"We're hoping he has his best years ahead of him, there's no question about that," Dimitroff said. "We think he still has much fuel in the tank and I know that he believes that."
Turner's modest total of 19 catches last season set a career high. He had his first career touchdown catch.
The deal with Jackson came only two days after the Falcons announced tight end Tony Gonzalez is returning for the 2013 season after saying last year he was 95 percent sure he would retire.
The Falcons also have re-signed strong safety William Moore and right guard Garrett Reynolds.
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