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A photo of the New York City Ballet performing at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (source: www.spac.org). |
Matching State Grants Would Be Provided to Keep Ballet in Saratoga
Wednesday, March 3, 2004
Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno today announced a plan that would make state funds available, on a matching basis, to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) to ensure the continued summer performances of the New York City Ballet at the facility.
The plan, announced by Senator Bruno following a meeting this afternoon with SPAC President Herb Chesbrough and members of the SPAC Board, would provide SPAC with $1 in state funds for every $2 raised by SPAC through new membership drives, increased private donations or other sources. State funds up to a maximum of $300,000 could provide an additional $900,000 to ensure that SPAC remains the summer home of the New York City Ballet.
"The decision to end the New York City Ballet Company's continuous 38 year summer residence at SPAC created a tremendous amount of concern and controversy and generated a strong outpouring of community support," Senator Bruno said. "I am pleased the board suspended that decision pending a review of other options that would enable the ballet to remain at SPAC."
Senator Bruno noted that SPAC and other not for profit organizations have had to make difficult decisions and judgments as costs rise and funding sources become more limited. He said that the SPAC board and its management should use this opportunity, along with a pending audit by the state Office of Parks and Recreation, to reassess their operations and management to assure that SPAC continues to offer a variety of popular entertainment and culture to its patrons and supporters. Senator Bruno added that better marketing of SPAC and the ballet, along with increased fund raising should be immediate priorities.
"The Saratoga Performing Arts Center attracts people, not just from the Capital Region, but from all over the country, who enjoy coming to one of the greatest cultural and entertainment facilities in the nation," Senator Bruno said. "Unfortunately, it took the prospect of the New York City Ballet�s departure to remind the SPAC board and people who support SPAC and the ballet that we must do everything we can to provide the financial support necessary to retain one of the crown jewels of the Capital Region."
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