Madison Area Arts Council president Chris Francis announces that Saturday's hip-hop show (yes, hip-hop) at the Brickhouse will be the last Madison Area Arts Council show for a while... and maybe ever. Who's killing the arts council? The insurance company:
...the latest concerns we face as an organization amount to the lack of proper insurance coverage we've been operating under for the past several years, under the false assumption that our kind of variety-based programming was indeed insurable and recognized under our current liability policy. As it now stands, we were mistaken, and now we face a dynamic rise of our insurance premiums, and hence, we're unable to maintain our programs and our facility within our current budget restraints, and realistically, we must question the worth of investing our very limited resources to provide for a growing insurance premium, one which still doesn't allow for the type of programs we desire. And as they say, that's our business problem, and we have to deal with it.
So, we're going to take a break to deal with it, after this Saturday's damn right fantastic program at The BrickHouse, we will unfortunately begin formal discussions on restructuring the mission and role of our organization, which will result in a pause in our daily operations for the immediate future, and yes, unfortunately, we may be forced to address the possibility of simply calling it quits [Chris Francis, "A Note We'd Rather Not Share..." Madison Area Arts Council, September 28, 2012].
Of course, the insurance company wouldn't have the power to crush the arts council if the council were winning more support from the community. Under Francis's leadership, the MAAC has offered a regular series of free, open-to-the-public performances, exhibits, and educational programs. But these events haven't drawn the crowds (I hear Saturday's show had more Sioux Falls people than Madison people) or the donors. When they can be bothered to notice the arts, Madison's patronizers prefer to associate with bigger-name sponsors. But heck, even when the big money players like the LAIC and Knology decide to play arts boosters, they throw their money at Motongator Joe's "hillbilly testosterone outlaw" country music show (Madison: branding!) and still don't draw a crowd.
I hearken back to a critique I heard from a local arts booster (now moved to greener personal and professional pastures) who spoke of his effort to get involved with the design of the Dakota Prairie Playhouse over 20 years ago. This knowledgeable arts professional wanted to contribute practical ideas to make the theater a better performance space. This arts professional was told by a businessman on the playhouse steering committee, "We don't need your kind."
Madison has the resources to build and sustain a vigorous, inviting arts scene in the Madison Area Arts Council and the passionate leadership of Mr. Francis. Madison appears not to want to capitalize on those resources. Its long-lived arts council (the longest-running arts council in South Dakota, Francis always reminds us) may thus perish at the hands of the insurance company.
But insurance is supposed to protect us from risk. And as the city commission will attest, what could be more risky than a bunch of artists making noise in the streets?
Might be a good time to find a new insurance company - Maybe I will shop around too.
Well, although very sad...the reality is that the community of Madison has voted, not by ballot, but by lack of support either through not attending or lack of donations. The folks of that small city have shown that they do not care about arts in Madison. They should be ashamed of themselves!!!
I did a one night show for the Madison Arts Council in March. The turnout would have been less than a handful if not for the family and friends that came to Madison that night. Those folks drove from Sioux Falls, Brandon and even Mitchell. I have seen the photos of other shows at the Brickhouse and again filled with folks from other communities. I have seen countless commercials on T.V. promoting Madison (the typical "Come play in Madison" tourist ads), but when they have something that clearly brings folks from other towns into their own they could care less. They do not need to attend these events for them to enrich their community! Folks come to Madison to see an art show (with live music) and how many times do they eat supper before or after, get some gas, maybe have a cocktail? Cities are always looking for ways to bring people to visit and the Arts council does that. We are also talking about repeat visits (for those who really love to go to art shows). How about put that in your stupid commercials?
The people of Madison are missing out! Chris brings in some of the best regional artists, both upcoming and big time Gallery showing talent. Music acts ranging from Nashville touring musicians, hip hop acts and singer/songwriters that anywhere else you pay to see play and yes folks it is free. Madison does not seen to care? The local businesses could capitalize on this if they did. Like I said, they do not need to attend the events to make it important to the fabric of their community but if they did attend they may learn something new or find a new passion?
Every city needs to take a look at what the arts are doing for it. Clearly these folks do not care or else their would be support and help when a non-profit needs a little boost to pay something like an increase in an insurance premium. I do not have any idea on the numbers involved here, but I could guess that it is not asking the people of this town for much. Helping fund a small cities arts council is a very worthy cause but getting that message across can be a challenge.
In my opinion, they don't deserve to have an arts council....I think they have taken it for granted! Maybe loosing something will turn their heads? Sad but True!!! Another one Bites the Dust!!! and again SHAME ON YOU MADISON!!!!!!
Maybe the council can take a new direction and deliver more impact in a different way. Sometimes you have to say NO to the good to get to the GREAT.
I've seen many of my friends be fired from jobs only to find themselves far happier than they were before only a few months down the road.
Maybe live events are too expensive, but that does not mean the council cannot do something else.
Madison is not dead. I saw hundreds of people lining the streets for the DSU Homecoming Parade on Saturday morning.
Doesn't the SD League of Cities have an insurance pool that could help here? If not, there are other insurance carriers.
As for community support --- build it and they will come principle, give them what they want principle, the local economy, competition with Brookings, Sioux Falls, etc., are all factors in play, I'm sure.
How do you conclude that Madison doesn't want "the arts"? That is completely unjustified.
The only potential conclusions from this data are:
1. Madison residents aren't interested in the types of events that the MAAC is producing.
2. While the residents of Madison may have been interested in the MAAC events, they either didn't know about the events or didn't attend because of other ancillary issues (other commitments for example).
The last several times I've been to Madison I've gone out to hear live music at the local downtown bars and they have always been packed. This doesn't seem like a town that doesn't "like the arts". It sounds like either the MAAC doesn't know what Madison residents want or are incapable of drawing the crowds due to lack of knowledge/bad timing/etc.
Tony, bingo: Madison "likes the arts" when they can drink to it - i.e., the live music at the local downtown bars. On the other hand, the downtown bars are packed even without live music - leading me to suspect that it's not the arts that's bringing the patrons, but I could be wrong...
Otherwise, it's a small - often VERY small - turnout, whether at Mochavino's, DPP, DSU or the Brickhouse, whether it's music, drama, or visual art, and has been for the 22 years I've been in this town. (Sorry, Michael, the Homecoming Parade does not count as "the arts".) The MAAC could perhaps have gotten more of a crowd for some of its events if the city commission would have permitted them to block 2nd Street between Egan and Harth for a concert, but that's never happened yet. Meanwhile, if anyone knows of reasonable insurance coverage out there, please let Chris Francis know ASAP.
Great point tonyamert....I may have been a little unjustified in my earlier post. I just get a little upset when I hear of things like this happening. My only experience with the whole Madison Art world is that one show I had up there. (besides things about attendance I have heard or seen in photos from other artists, artists will talk about turnout and groove of a show ).
You can have many great events but if folks do not know about them they do not have the chance to go. They may not have had enough knowledge that the council even needed donations or needed help. Madison folks may not even have known they where about to loose the council?....Maybe more communication needed to happen from the council and the folks in the area? The shoe could be dropped on the councils end too.....but like I said I am just speaking from generalizations and in no way have any info one way or another...I am sorry if i would happen to offend anyone or even the residence of Madison, that was not my intention! I had a great time in Madison and was looking forward to showing again up there at some point....
I guess they are being held accountable. If they don't get community support, then they should cease to exist.....right Corey?
Eve, why would the parade not be considered the arts? My kids both played in marching bands. Music isn't part of the arts?
The bars are not packed at all. Downtown is deserted compared to 20 years ago.
Lance, thank you for the apology. Tony is exactly correct, people either aren't getting what they want, or they don't know about it. I live in Madison, and often find out about these events after they happen.
I've been to packed houses for the South Dakota Symphony in this town. Standing room only for Madison High School Fine Arts night. I'm remembering a big crowd for Tonic Sol-fa several years ago. I've been to two well attending events at John Green Studio in the past year. And just today my 90 year old grandmother told me how much she enjoyed the Bill Ireland reunion concert Saturday night.
By the way Eve, none of those events had beer. And calling the people you want to come to your events a bunch of drunks, is a bad way to get public support.
I really don't want to ruffle a bunch a feathers, I will say the MAAC has a... not so great image in many peoples eyes. I've been to one meeting, and left feeling extremely insulted by one particular member. Now I'm one person, but I've heard the words "I'll never work with them again" too many times for it to be isolated to me. Just look a Lance's knee jerk reaction, his first instinct was to start insulting people, and Eve was happy to join right in. Now Lance apologized for it, but that kind of crap puts people off, and it's the kind of crap I've seen and heard come out of the arts council.
That said, I've attending MAAC events in the past and hope too again in the future. I've got a long family connection to the MAAC, I don't want to see it go anywhere. Madison is a strong arts community, way to many artists, musicians, actors, band and choir instructors, etc. have come out of Madison for it not to be a community that supports the arts. The question is how to get Madison to support the MAAC, or perhaps how to get the MAAC to support Madison.
DB, we get the community, the culture, and the government we deserve.
There could well be blame all around. let me ask this: if the MAAC bears blame, is it because it has been offering "inferior" arts events? And by "inferior," do we mean...
—low quality?
—uninteresting?
—poorly advertised?
—outside the tastes of the majority of residents?
—not generating revenue?
If we cannot criticize the MAAC programs by the above criteria, is the blame that falls on the MAAC then mostly political... or personal?
But I'm not going down the road of hard blame on MAAC yet. I keep hearing that echo from my friend: "We don't need your kind." That comment speaks to a distinct cultural conceit in this community. Lance, you may need to apologize as hard as you think. I suggest that that anti-arts strain runs through the local culture. Madison will tolerate artistic expression within certain bounds, from certain people. But push too much, provoke a little discomfort, and that anti-arts strain jumps at the chance to ostracize the provocateurs on personal or political grounds, which provide cover for the attitude my friend heard in that ugly candid moment with the Playhouse planners.
Test that thesis: how many pushy coaches do we have? Does that pushiness stop people from going to sports events?
This new insurance policy sounds like overkill. Are the events high risk? I'm thinking no. Especially when the turnout is low and manageable. If things are organized in a reasonable way the likelihood of a lawsuit would be very minimal. The arts council doesn't have any significant assets to protect anyway.
Cory, to claim that an "anti-arts strain runs through the local culture" because a friend of yours told you they got into an argument with one person/group, is a big stretch. (By the way, an artist not getting along with a business owner, shocking.) It's not like Madison took a vote to screw over your buddy.
If people here hate the arts so much how come they're paying big money to bring the SD Symphony to town? How come they're allowing so many of their kids to be in band, choir, children's theater?
I know that people in Madison love to have their kids participate in children's theater, band, choir, etc. I also know that most kids that Allan taught at DSU had never been to a gallery or museum until he took them. The range of what people consider necessary for their children can be limited. I also know that, 21 years ago, the two largest turnouts the MAAC of the day had were for (1) children's theater (we brought the Missoula Children's Theater to town) and (2) Slainte (an Irish band) that we booked into the Elks, where people could have a beer while listening and/or dancing. This isn't accusing them of being drunks - it was just clear to me that people preferred a "relaxed" atmosphere rather than sitting at the DPP. And I know that if you want people to dance, you have to have it at a venue where people CAN dance. Therefore, I do think there would have been greater turnout for this last musical event at the Brickhouse if it had been at one of the local bars, or it had been allowed to be a street event. I could be wrong.
I'm sorry if I dissed the Homecoming Parade - it's fun, I just never thought of it as high art. I'll adjust my vision. :)
Eve-
Classifying art as high or low is a complete load of BS. Art is entirely subjective, its value is only relevant to the individual. Going to a gallery or a museum is not appreciation for art. That is a physical action. Attempting to replicate an action that you view as art appreciation that is common in other areas (i.e. going to a gallery) in Madison should not be expected to translate well and should not be the figure of merit for Madison's appreciation for the arts.
You're using an unrelated action to infer how a community values the arts. Matt has pointed out many examples of how the community of Madison participates in the arts. Rather than trying to force an unfamiliar act (i.e. going to a gallery, etc.), the MAAC should be looking at how it can replicate existing, successful experiences for Madison.
Almost as if this was timed for this discussion.
http://www.amazingmadison.com/Artist-in-Residence-at-Madison-Elementary-School/14415360
Madison is a practical sort of town without much diversity. It is important to expose kids, and I'm not saying it's a MAAC responsibility, but they should see more, much more than what just occurs in Madison. Cheers to Allen for taking them. It's a big world out there that needs interpretation or a person can end up living in a very limited slice.
Just a quick note. I have not been involved with the Arts Council in the past, but have attended the last two events, and was the sound/lights/DJ guy at the event this past weekend. I can report that our crowd was half from Sioux Falls and half from Madison in attendance. Probably about 50 people total in a very intimate garage & alley show. We probably could have had a few more people come down if we were outside making noise, but the insurance company wanted a very expensive policy to cover the outdoor show and the "potential dancing" that may occur. Some of the riders for the insurance policy seemed ridiculous.
The event before this featured Carolina Story, and amazing two piece folk/rock/country fusion band that was absolutely amazing.
I joked at one point that I would just setup in the street and if the cops come and take me away, so be it. Let personal responsibility rule the day and forget the insurance I said! If people want to dance, let them dance!
However, we made the "adult" decision to keep it in doors where the MAAC insurance policy covered the event.
Chris Francis has put on some good and unique shows this year. I think more than anything, the council needs to find a new place in Madison, a much larger space where we can have a stage and full gallery. The Brickhouse is nice, but just too small. It is too bad that partnerships with other organizations in town that could provide larger spaces have not worked out. People need to remember to check their politics and personal opinions at the door and work together to find common ground in our small town, especially when organizing events that can bring people to town and entertain those of us that are already here.
But for that to happen, the MAAC needs more donations or contributions. The $5,000 a year from the City doesn't get you far after paying rent, heat, lights, and insurance. Most of the artists get paid very little money and donate their time and efforts. I spent 10 hours on this show this weekend and I did it all for the love of the arts. Didn't get paid one dime and I would do 10 more free shows next year if the MAAC can make it happen. So many others donate their time and efforts to make these events great.
We are a great community with many varying art forms available to us. Let's keep an open mind and support what we can. From Folk Music and Art... to Hip-Hop music in the street... to Children's Theater... and Marching Band!
Let's not place blame. Let's state the facts and see what we can work on to make it better and keep things going. It may just take better insurance, a new building, new forms of revenue, etc.
I should have said,.. just a long note.
Now a plug, Anyone interested in the local music scene, stop on over to my facebook company page. https://www.facebook.com/madwestmusic?fref=ts
Get in touch with me if you ever want help with an event that needs music/sound/lights or a social media campaign.
Thanks,
Ashley
Tony, I didn't say a word about high or low art; all I said was that visual arts via going to a gallery or museum weren't part of most students' exposure. (They also really enjoyed the experience once they had the opportunity to go to a museum and/or gallery - sometimes people like the unexpected.)
Unfortunately kids don't get the opportunity to visit places like museums, the Pipestone monument, the Laura Ingalls place in DeSmet, etc anymore because of budget cuts. As a parents I'd be THRILLED to pay money for the kids to be bussed to these kind of field trips, but I guess not everyone can, so no one goes. The 5th graders do get to go to the SD Symphony in Sioux Falls each year as far as I know. One gem our state has that a lot of people have never been to is the National Music Museum at USD in Vermillion. The marching band students did get to see that a couple of years ago because they were in Vermillion for competition.
Here Eve, let me quote you:
"I'm sorry if I dissed the Homecoming Parade - it's fun, I just never thought of it as high art. I'll adjust my vision. :)"
Tony, technically, she's right. Homecoming Parades are (at best) a combination of Camp and Kitsch... perhaps occasionally a form of folk art, but in most instances not a true form of art at all. More craft than art.
Now, a Homecoming Parade going backwards after a game might be art. Especially if the team lost. Or people in plain clothes on undecorated floats just sitting there while people walked by in costumes throwing candy at them.
See?
Paula, that's the problem all the way around: money. The arts are usually last to get funding and the first to get cut, especially in schools. For years the MAAC has supplied artists in schools to Madison, as well as opportunities to see and exhibit visual art, attend and join in performances, etc. Currently it's not the cost of the artists or the art that's crippling the MAAC - artists usually (sadly) work for very little (the stipend for Artists in Schools is pretty low) and they're often not paid for exhibiting their work. What's crippling it is the cost of rent, utilities, and especially insurance. That's what's going to close it down. And that would be a major loss.
Madison got Jami Lynn? Nice! She's uptown!
Field trips: absolutely! Kids need to get out of their familiar surroundings and see stuff!