Arts programs across America have not been immune to the effects of the Great Recession. With institutions across the country struggling financially, Terry Teachout looks at whether the voter-approved bailout of the DIA can serve as a national model.
The Atlanta Symphony's $20 million debt crisis, the closing of Palm Beach's Florida Stage, and the gutting of the New York City Opera, are just some examples of America's struggling arts environment. What can these and other institutions learn from the 10-year-long dedicated property-tax increase recently approved by voters in three counties served by the DIA?
According to Teachout, "To begin with, the DIA showed it was serious about money by slashing
every thimbleful of fat out of its budget. It simultaneously showed
itself to be responsive to the wishes of its patrons by undertaking an
imaginative reinstallation of the museum's permanent collection that was
both user-friendly and artistically responsible. Then, when the DIA
asked for public funding, it sweetened the pill with an equally
imaginative free-admission plan that targeted not just Detroiters but
local suburbanites."
"Contrast the DIA's approach with that of the Atlanta Symphony," writes Teachout, "which
is opting for innovation-free budget cutting instead of root-and-branch
institutional transformation."
"Cutting is not enough. You also have to think creatively and be willing
to take risks, as the DIA did when it asked the people of Detroit and
its suburbs to agree to a tax increase."
FULL STORY: Why Arts Managers Short of Cash Are Looking at Detroit
Detroit Says Problems With Property Tax Assessments are Fixed. Advocates Disagree.
With higher-valued properties under assessed and lower-valued properties over assessed, advocates say there's still a problem with Detroit's property tax system.
Office Vacancies Drag Down Property Taxes
Downtown office buildings around the country are selling for much lower prices than before the pandemic, prompting questions about the future of central business districts.
A New Housing Affordability Hurdle: Property Taxes
Skyrocketing home values are driving up property tax bills, putting lower-income homeowners at risk of losing their homes.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie