Mile-High Musings on Arts, Culture, Creativity and Philanthropy

So no sooner did we succeed in getting the bill passed in Harrisburg that averted the disastrous Plan C (on 9/17) than we were forced (the evening of 9/18) to face the sudden announcement that the budget agreement in Harrisburg included a new sales tax on arts and culture, an action that had received absolutely no discussion or debate beforehand. Surprise! So what exactly happened?  In Pennsylvania, like most states, arts activity admissions and tickets are exempted from sales tax. The budget deal in essence removed that exemption, which would impose the 6% state sales tax on all such revenue. Since Philadelphia has an extra 2% sales tax (or will, after the new 1% for five year tax is added) the local tax in Philly would be 8%. Another wrinkle - the state budget deal also eliminated the exemption for commercial entertainment activity such as concerts and commercial theatre. This would cover everything from small music clubs to major rock concerts. Since Philadelphia imposes a 5% ...

OK, maybe the title is a bit of a mouthful - how many buzzwords can we fit into one conference title? But this upcoming conference in Philly should be really worthwhile for anybody in the creative industries. Full disclosure: I am a little self-interested because 1) I have been serving on the steering committee for the summit, 2) it is in Philly, 3) I am speaking on a panel. The Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit 2009 features some great keynoters, including Elizabeth Gilbert , author of Eat, Pray, Love ; Peter Shankman , founder and CEO of The Geek Factory; Jane McGonigal , Director of Game Research and Development, Institute for the Future;and Randall Kempner , ED of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (part of the Aspen Institute). There are sessions geared towards creative economy entrepreneurs, as well as those more like myself who are looking at this issue more from a public policy and strategy perspective. There are a bunch of tracks, including one on the ...

The State House is scheduled to act this Thursday on the bill that would allow the City to close a $700 million gap in its five year budget. Without this action the City will be forced to implement the "Plan C" budget which would be crippling to the City on many fronts, and would effectively eliminate all City cultural programs. For those that have not been following this saga closely, the budget approved by the City Council and the Mayor required action from Harrisburg on two items - authority to raise the local sales tax by 1%, and some changes in the City's pension plan. The House eventually passed a bill - 1828 - that gave the City what it needed. The Senate then considered the bill and passed it with an array of amendments designed to rein in pension expenses throughout the state. That bill is what is now going back to the House. If the House passes it without amendment it will be signed by the Governor and the City's budget will be balanced. If the House passe...

I spent part of yesterday watching two huge sculptures by the artist Jun Kaneko be un-crated and erected in the courtyard of City Hall. Very exciting! The temporary installation of Kaneko's giant "Heads" at City Hall is part of a City-wide celebration that has been dubbed "On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera and You." Stimulated by the Opera Company of Philadelphia's production of Madama Butterfly, which opens on October 9th, a production with set and costume designs by Jun Kaneko, a quite extraordinary multi-faceted partnership has been created: * From now through 10/24 the two "Heads" will be facing off in the City Hall Courtyard. * Also through 10/24 five of the artists equally large and dramatic "dango" sculptures will be installed in Commonwealth Plaza of the Kimmel Center. * From now through April of 2010 the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be displaying four of the "dangos" at their Perelman building. * The fabri...