DEPARTMENT: Department of Arts & Culture
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Debbie Racca-Sittre
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All Council Districts
SUBJECT: Briefing on San Antonio Symphony Long Term Strategy
SUMMARY:
In March 2018, the City and County established the Symphony Transformation Taskforce and contracted with Michael Kaiser of the DeVos Institute to develop a long-term strategy for a sustainable symphony in San Antonio. Mr. Kaiser will provide an overview of the extensive research he has completed and a summary of his recommendations.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In March 2018, the City and County created a new City-County Symphony Transformation Task Force. The nine member taskforce was chaired by Denny Ware and included Councilmember Trevino and Commissioner Paul Elizondo. Other members included:
* Elizabeth Fauerso, City of San Antonio
* Suhail Arastu, City of San Antonio
* Nissa Dunn, City of San Antonio
* Mike De La Garza, Bexar County
* Linda Chavez Thompson, Bexar County
* Dr. Alice Viroslav, Bexar County
The charge of the Taskforce was to develop a Symphony Orchestra Strategy for the City of San Antonio and Bexar County and provide a roadmap for building a sustainable approach to providing symphonic orchestral music in San Antonio. To assist in their efforts, the City and County contracted with Michael Kaiser of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management. Michael is an arts administrator who served as president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2001-2014) in Washington, D.C. and has earned international renown for his expertise in arts management.
To develop the strategy, Michael conducted extensive research and interviews in the community. He interviewed over 100 individuals including community leaders, arts administrators, arts patrons, Symphony board members, musicians, and staff. The taskforce met with Michael numerous times and on Friday, June 15, Denny Ware submitted the taskforce report to Mayor Nirenberg and Judge Wolfe and ...
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