OV Stimulus Redux

March 31, 2009 - So here's the part of the $25 Helps OV Thrive Drive that I was downplaying when I was encouraging the "can-do" "many small gifts make a difference" attitude among supporters and patrons of OV. This company can indeed "do it" and "many small gifts do indeed make a difference" but only if there's 100% (or darn close to it) buy-in/participation in such a fundraising campaign. 30% of supporters making a small gift will not raise sufficient funds. Nor can we go forward in a fiscally responsible way purely on the "intention" of supporters to pledge funds. The flip side of the coin to the "if we get this amount then we can go forward" is "if we don't get this amount, we can't go forward". Now is the time that I need to be making decisions based on real $$$ amounts. So if you were intending to make a donation, now is the time to do it particularly since (cue trumpet fanfare here) we are currently in a "challenge grant situation". That means that, due to the incredible generosity of a few major donors, every dollar we receive in donations between now and the closing show of Albert Herring (May 9th) will be matched dollar for dollar.

So. . . .click here to take decisive action on this information or if you'd prefer, call 410.547.7997 to make a phone pledge. And thank you in advance for your generosity and belief in the future of Opera Vivente.

John Bowen

Be the Stimulus You Want to See in the World

March 1, 2009 - We interrupt our regularly scheduled postings of behind the scenes video etc. for a brief manifesto. I promise to return to the other stuff immediately after this, but I need to get this off my chest.

Recently, there has been a lot of media attention on what part funding to the arts would play in the federal economic stimulus package. There has been great rejoicing over the fact that the arts survived the axe, and I certainly join in that rejoicing. However, one should be aware amidst the rejoicing that government funding has never represented more than a few percentage points in most arts organizations budgets AND many very worthy arts organizations (OV included) receive virtually no government funding. Couple that with the fact that arts funding, at least at the state level, can be cut with only the signature of the governor and one other officer of public works at any time once the budgetary year has begun and methinks that a case can be made for attempting to create a more direct revenue stream between patron and arts organization.

I can hear you saying, "Why, whatever does he mean?" and so I'll just talk about two recent phenomena that will help lead into my point.

Story #1: In December 2008, OV sent out an appeal letter simply stating that if everyone who had enjoyed our programming over the past year sent us $25, OV would be in the black and committed to returning next season with more great chamber opera. So many people wrote, emailed, Facebooked, phoned, etc. me to say how much they appreciated getting such a positive, "can-do" appeal in the midst of all the gloom and doom BUT only a small percentage actually got around to putting pen to checkbook or index finger to mouse to click on the donate button. To those of you who did respond to the call for action THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your generosity. It's because of you that we're even still here for me to make this blog post.

Story #2: My videos and blog posts relating to our upcoming production of The Coronation of Poppea have generated lots of buzz. People come up to me, or email me, or Facebook me telling me how much they are looking forward to this production, how beautiful everything looks/sounds etc. BUT have yet to actually purchase a ticket. According to my Facebook profile, 54 of my friends are attending, but a quick cross-check reveals that only about 5 of them actually have bought a ticket.

Artists are by nature creative people and incredibly adept at doing a lot with very little BUT even we can't survive on good intentions SO HERE'S MY MANIFESTO -

Don't think about buying a ticket, BUY A TICKET!

Don't intend to make a donation (and let me reiterate that ANY dollar amount is useful and appreciated), ACTUALLY MAKE A DONATION!

You'll be surprised at how "stimulated" you feel by actually, proactively supporting the arts. They repay your investment like virtually nothing else every time.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

OV Makes Top 10 of 2008 for Ionarts

December 18, 2008 - Just a brief post to call attention to the fact that Ionarts has placed Opera Vivente's production of Tobias and the Angel in its "Top 10 of 2008" post. 'Tis the season for these sort of year-end round-ups (I'll probably end up posting one myself), but we're always interested in what our patrons are thinking, so if there's some top experiences of 2008 that you'd like to share with our friends in the blogosphere, put them in a comment to this post.

And speaking of "year-end" activities, Opera Vivente's "$25 Makes OV Thrive" Drive is still going on and there's still time to get your gift registered for this tax year. Click here to show your love for OV. Gifts of any size are useful and appreciated.

Happy Holidays!

Holly Jolly Fund Drive!

December 5, 2008 - Just a short post to say that the initial response to our "$25 Makes OV Thrive Drive" has been great. So a big shout out of thanks to all of you who have made your contribution already. But remember, the only way that this will truly succeed is with 100% participation. So, come on all you lovers of OV! Send us a little holiday love! And speaking of holiday love, the cabaret is selling out quickly so if you're intending to come to this fun-filled celebration of the season, don't wait too long to make your reservation. Call 410.547.7997 today! See you at the cabaret!