Results tagged “commissions” from Life's a Pitch

I love political campaign e mails. There's such a sense of urgency and drama. I got one this morning that said, "Own a piece of this movement by making a donation of $25 today." Own a piece of this movement. Boom. Yes. I even like how they're addressed - there's no "Dear Potential Subscriber" or "Dear Patron" or even "Dear Amanda E Ameer"; it's all "Amanda --". I'm like yes, what's up, how can I help you? Also, I appreciate them suggesting $25, a specific, manageable amount that I don't really have to think about.

Where is the sense of urgency in arts fundraising e mails? I don't want a free tote, I want to know that you really need my money now or something bad will happen (or something good WON'T happen). Also, where is the gesture toward a broader movement? Everyone wants to be part of something big and history-making; what is/where is the national arts movement, and will my donating money to Playwrights Horizons make me a part of it?

Last thought, re-triggered by our clever political friends: "own a piece of this movement, literally", formerly called, in my mind, "the church organ commission". When a church needs an organ (re)built or repaired, the fundraising committee asks church members to sponsor individual pipes. Money doesn't seemingly go into a general pot - you know which pipe is yours. I always wondered why dance companies and chamber orchestras (or symphony orchestras, for that matter) didn't seek to create new works commissioned by the so-called people. "I own 4:03 - 4:23 of the newest John Adams piece for Alarm Will Sound." The more people who commission the work, the more who have a vested interest in spreading the word and making the work a success; a new donor base and an established street team, all rolled into one!

Most importantly, donating money to tangibly help create a new piece of dance or music really would make me feel like I was part of a movement, literally and not so literally.