Ron Russell: non-profit theatre and artist value
A door is standing open for us. So often in the American theatre, especially in the last four years, all we hear about, all we feel, is every door is closing. Foundation assets shrinking, donor pocketbooks tightening, earned income competition growing from angles we can’t control or sometimes even understand, audiences aging. It’s easy [...]
Having made significant steps toward ensuring artist diversity, and so at least opening the door to audience diversity, the producer’s next responsibility is to make an investment in arts education. Let me make no bones about it: the stigma that still clings to this part of our field among so-called “serious” producers is wrong-headed and [...]
While artist diversity is arguably not the KEY to building audience diversity, I think it’s fair to say it’s highly unlikely for a producing organization to sustain the latter without the former. It’s the nature of the relationship, right? We like to see ourselves represented on stage, and meaningful or not, consciously or not, many people define [...]
For theatre artists to matter in America, for them to exercise their core skills like fostering empathy and to paving the way for honest and impactful dialogue, organizations that produce theatre have to matter. Simple enough, right? But this may well be a somewhat-stickier-wicket than making sure artists matter! Because for it to [...]
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Recent Comments
Ron Russell on In Defense of “Compulsory” Arts Education
Your (and his) points are quite true, I think - and it's exactly what keeps artists out of schools, this...barb on In Defense of “Compulsory” Arts Education
I admire your determination to change things from within the system. It's inevitable that, as a conscientious objector, my professional...Ron Russell on In Defense of “Compulsory” Arts Education
Very interesting points, and I appreciate your perspective. Unfortunately, from my perspective, I don't see a way to subvert...barb on In Defense of “Compulsory” Arts Education
To rewind a bit Ron - I am "one of those doubters" who trained to be a teacher during the...Ron Russell on In Defense of “Compulsory” Arts Education
The same sanctions that are imposed for those who fail to comply with forced Math, or forced Geography. It...barb on In Defense of “Compulsory” Arts Education
My question is "What sanctions do you intend to impose on young people who fail to comply with forced creativity?"Blake Wilson on In Defense of “Compulsory” Arts Education
Yes. Which is why, on balance, I tend to think that there is a place for compulsory arts programs...Ron Russell on In Defense of “Compulsory” Arts Education
Yeah, totally agreed - "choice" is contingent on knowing what is available and engages you - without early and consistent...Blake Wilson on In Defense of “Compulsory” Arts Education
Ultimately, this is why it's crucial to have consistent, great arts education in the early grades...so that students are accustomed...Blake Wilson on In Defense of “Compulsory” Arts Education
Thanks for posting this Ron....and a topic that I've wrestled with for some time. Having been a classroom...