Pittsburgh Arts, Regional Theatre, New Work, Producing, Copyright, Labor Unions,
New Products, Coping Skills, J-O-Bs...
Theatre industry news, University & School of Drama Announcements, plus occasional course support for
Carnegie Mellon School of Drama Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni.
Pittsburgh Business Times: The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 3 is seeking to get back money owed to the union on behalf of August Wilson Center employees who are union members. It wasn't clear how much what owed.
Things are looking more and more bleak for the August Wilson Center. They already have the $7.06 million owed to Dollar Bank and now also the money owed to IATSE. I wonder how many other companies are owed money. The center has only been opened for six years and I have been studying in here for 3, and I haven't seen the center producing enough to be able to facilitate monthly payments of $53,639 a month in loans as well as additional staff payments and any other loans. I wonder what the plan was for the center in order to stay afloat. Also I wonder if anyone will buyout the center in order for it to remain open, as it would be a great loss to the Cultural District.
I wish this article had given a bit more information on the status of the center and its current financial issues. The AWC offer something great to pittsburgh and honors many great artists. I hope that it can be saved and that there is enough interest in its preservation to save it. There are not many places near by that teach about the contributions of black artist in the way that AWC does and as that is something that is often sorely lacking in cultural centers as well as historical teaching in general. I hope that even if the center ends up closing their mission is continued.
Bad week for the AWC. I'm honestly surprised that in a city of such perseverance and community strength that there hasn't been some sort of coalition or grassroots campaign to raise more funds for the center. Yes, 7 million dollars is a lot to raise (plus whatever they owe to Local 3) but the first step must be taken. It seems silly that car companies and banks are eligible for bailouts by the government but am institution that has made such a difference in the lives of thousands of artists does not receive the same help. Write a letter, call a congressman, if anyone is deserving of a government bailout, it's the August Wilson Center.
This makes me so sad. This AWC does some really important work and has a mission that is really unique and important to Pittsburgh.
Because I was so upset about this I looked for more information, I found this article: http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php/featured-news/metro/13085-august-wilson-center-ceo-says-closing-rumors-aren-t-true
This article states that the CEO says that the AWC will not be shutting down. They have had to lay people off but this apparently is not indicative of having to shut down. I think it would be a giant loss if the AWC was gone, I hope that they can persist even now.
I agree with what everyone has said above me... The August Wilson Center is a great Pittsburgh entity, and it would be a huge shame if it closed.
I think if such a huge debt exists and the Center hasn't been able to sustain payments, as it seems they can't, the Center has a responsibility to follow a series of steps that starts with seeking other forms of income (like grants or donations). If that doesn't get them the necessary money (or even if it does, since it probably wouldn't be enough to cover costs for years to come), the company has to think about restructuring their financial system, and their season. It sounds like their costs are too much for the company to sustain, and so maybe they need to look at a smaller space, a smaller season, a smaller staff, or some other solutions.
Its really sad to hear that the August Wilson Center is doing so horribly. As Jamila said, losing the center would be horrible for the Cultural District. It is such a staple of history and growth, and always promotes and produces wonderful work. Although they might owe money, I hope, and as Zoe points out, that they will not have to close. As we talk about fundraising a lot in class, there is always a way to come back from hard times. As all of the poster have been so caring, I am sure there are others out there that would help them out. What they need is one big benefit!
6 comments:
Things are looking more and more bleak for the August Wilson Center. They already have the $7.06 million owed to Dollar Bank and now also the money owed to IATSE. I wonder how many other companies are owed money. The center has only been opened for six years and I have been studying in here for 3, and I haven't seen the center producing enough to be able to facilitate monthly payments of $53,639 a month in loans as well as additional staff payments and any other loans. I wonder what the plan was for the center in order to stay afloat. Also I wonder if anyone will buyout the center in order for it to remain open, as it would be a great loss to the Cultural District.
I wish this article had given a bit more information on the status of the center and its current financial issues. The AWC offer something great to pittsburgh and honors many great artists. I hope that it can be saved and that there is enough interest in its preservation to save it. There are not many places near by that teach about the contributions of black artist in the way that AWC does and as that is something that is often sorely lacking in cultural centers as well as historical teaching in general. I hope that even if the center ends up closing their mission is continued.
Bad week for the AWC. I'm honestly surprised that in a city of such perseverance and community strength that there hasn't been some sort of coalition or grassroots campaign to raise more funds for the center. Yes, 7 million dollars is a lot to raise (plus whatever they owe to Local 3) but the first step must be taken. It seems silly that car companies and banks are eligible for bailouts by the government but am institution that has made such a difference in the lives of thousands of artists does not receive the same help. Write a letter, call a congressman, if anyone is deserving of a government bailout, it's the August Wilson Center.
This makes me so sad. This AWC does some really important work and has a mission that is really unique and important to Pittsburgh.
Because I was so upset about this I looked for more information, I found this article: http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php/featured-news/metro/13085-august-wilson-center-ceo-says-closing-rumors-aren-t-true
This article states that the CEO says that the AWC will not be shutting down. They have had to lay people off but this apparently is not indicative of having to shut down. I think it would be a giant loss if the AWC was gone, I hope that they can persist even now.
I agree with what everyone has said above me... The August Wilson Center is a great Pittsburgh entity, and it would be a huge shame if it closed.
I think if such a huge debt exists and the Center hasn't been able to sustain payments, as it seems they can't, the Center has a responsibility to follow a series of steps that starts with seeking other forms of income (like grants or donations). If that doesn't get them the necessary money (or even if it does, since it probably wouldn't be enough to cover costs for years to come), the company has to think about restructuring their financial system, and their season. It sounds like their costs are too much for the company to sustain, and so maybe they need to look at a smaller space, a smaller season, a smaller staff, or some other solutions.
Its really sad to hear that the August Wilson Center is doing so horribly. As Jamila said, losing the center would be horrible for the Cultural District. It is such a staple of history and growth, and always promotes and produces wonderful work. Although they might owe money, I hope, and as Zoe points out, that they will not have to close. As we talk about fundraising a lot in class, there is always a way to come back from hard times. As all of the poster have been so caring, I am sure there are others out there that would help them out. What they need is one big benefit!
Post a Comment