Vancouver Bails out the Playhouse & Museum

trofirhen · #1 Posted **Sep 23, 2011, 2:44 PM**

How does this all stack up with the way they handle their cultural scene in Seattle? They seem to have a thriving arts scene, (including the Seatttle Opera), and I'm wondering if they require funding in Seattle the way we do, or not.

Is this Vancouver situation based on lack of attendance, or what?

incognism · #2 Posted **Sep 23, 2011, 5:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

How does this all stack up with the way they handle their cultural scene in Seattle? They seem to have a thriving arts scene, (including the Seatttle Opera), and I'm wondering if they require funding in Seattle the way we do, or not.

Is this Vancouver situation based on lack of attendance, or what?

It's not a "situation". The Vancouver Playhouse is not well run and their choices to captivate audiences and season ticket holders are abysmal.

The Arts Club does not receive any civic funding/subsidies and yet it has productions on three stages and is fairly successful.

Vancouver Playhouse · #3 Posted **Oct 4, 2011, 1:18 AM**

An excerpt from the Playhouse's response written by Artistic Managing Director Max Reimer to the coverage you've read:

"...after 48 years, the City begins to level the playing field. Appendix A of the 2011 (2010) Cultural Grants Allocations for Operation Assistance provides a list of the over $5.5M given to 96 arts organizations in the last two years - with the notable exception of the Playhouse. This includes the theatre companies referenced in articles and comments as if they do not receive municipal funding."

To read the full response and to see the list of organizations, including the theatres mentioned please follow this link:

http://www.vancouverplayhouse.com/blog/a...s-to-media-coverage-of-citys-assistance/

Thank you for this opportunity to engage in important dialogue.

whatnext · #4 Posted **Oct 4, 2011, 4:34 AM**

Well, yes. But there was never anything stopping the Playhouse from leaving the QE complex and building their own theatre (as the Arts Club did with the Stanley) and then getting grants.

whatnext · #5 Posted **Mar 11, 2012, 3:01 AM**

Well, its old news now but the Playhouse has gone tits up and closed their doors:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nati...ompany-to-close-curtains/article2365080/

trofirhen · #6 Posted **Mar 11, 2012, 4:13 AM**

Have similar things happened in Seattle? What about the financial state of their art scene compared to ours, peut-être?