By Christina Abt
Buffalo, NY – Once upon a time there was a remarkable community situated along the scenic shores of Lake Erie known to the world as Buffalo, New York. Within this community people worked, they lived and when the opportunity presented itself, they played. They played at professional football and hockey games, they played at Broadway and regional theater productions, they played at nationally renown art, history and science museums and they played within a bounty of local hometown, theaters, literary organizations, art institutions, architectural landmarks and on occasion....a bar or two, but I digress.
One day, the professional football and hockey teams, together considered the, "papa bears" of Buffalo's entertainment world, found that the funding required to produce their Buffalo Style brand of entertainment was in short supply. Knowing that their coffers were somewhat lacking, they decided to turn to the state, county and local governments and the businesses that serve Buffalo and roar, "Someone has to help balance our budget or we shall have to move." At which point, the governments and businesses all agreed to become financial backers for the teams and everyone lived happily ever after...or at least until the next round of salary cap, million dollar bonus, budget deficit issues, arose.
One day, the Broadway and regional theaters and the nationally renown art, history and science museums, together considered the "mama bears" of Buffalo's entertainment world, found that the funding required to produce their Buffalo Style brand of entertainment was also in short supply. Knowing that their coffers were somewhat lacking, they decided to turn to the federal, state, county, and local governments and the businesses serving Buffalo, as well as a wide ranging contingent of fairy godmother grant groups, and declare to them all, "Someone has to help balance our budget or we shall have to cut back." At which point a great number of funders agreed to become financial backers for these institutions and everyone lived happily ever after....or at least until the next collection of budget woes came around.
One day, the bounty of local hometown, theaters, literary organizations, art institutions, and architectural landmarks, together considered the "baby bears" of Buffalo's entertainment world, found that the funding required to produce their Buffalo Style brand of entertainment was in short or non existent supply. Knowing that their coffers were somewhat lacking, they decided to turn to the federal, state, county, and local governments and the businesses serving Buffalo, along with a wide ranging contingent of fairy godmother grant groups and declare to them all, "Someone has to help balance our budget or we shall have to close our doors." At which point, a large number of those funders pointed to the downturned stockmarket, the after effects of 9/11 and the slowing economy and simply said, " Sorry, we can't." And they went merrily on their ways and believed that all would continue to live happily ever after.
Unfortunately, what these funders overlooked is the fact that many of the small cultural institutions serving the community of Buffalo act as breeding grounds for the actors, playwrights, artists, scientists, and yes, even on occasion, the athletes, who one day grow up and form the foundation of those larger regional and national organizations that all seem to so highly prize. Further, many of these Buffalo "baby bear" institutions, have in their own right, become renown in national levels thereby serving to attract citizenry and tourists to the Queen City's Lake Erie shores.
So, perhaps before this Buffalo fairy tale adapts an unhappily ever after ending, the issue of aiding "baby bear" cultural institutions should be reconsidered. Help doesn't always have to arrive in the form of multiple zero checks nor does it always have to be delivered by giant corporations or government agencies. Often for struggling community arts institutions buying tickets and volunteering time, materials and resources can make the difference between their doors staying open or permanently closing. It's up to all of us, living in this remarkable community of Buffalo, which ending we chose.
With Heart and Soul...I'm Christina Abt.