Author: Salem, Mahmond

Publication Year: 1975

Media Type: Book

Summary:

In this study, two types of material are used. In the first group are the available writings about performing arts in general and about each art form in particular. (See chapters 2 and 3). The second type of data used in this study was gathered in field research in the Seattle Opera.

Abstract:

In this study, two types of material are used. In the first group are the available writings about performing arts in general and about each art form in particular. (See chapters 2 and 3). The second type of data used in this study was gathered in field research in the Seattle Opera.

I have selected the case-study approach instead of making a comparative study of a number of organizations, for a number of reasons. First of all, for many of the reasons outlined above, it is impossible to establish comparative equivalence among a number of performing arts organizations. Very little detailed information about most performing arts organizations in the is available, and when it is, it is almost impossible to select comparable organizations. Since little is known about performing arts organizations in general, it is impossible to devise measurable variables for comparability.

The Seattle opera is a successful organization, recognized as such by critics, audiences, and professionals in the arts. The study of a successful organization is more useful in this field of research than the study of a failure; there has already been too much emphasis on failure, crises and problems. Furthermore, a systematic study of cases of failure in performing arts organizations is very difficult, since their organizational apparatus dissipates quickly because of the high mobility of their membership. If such an organization is alive but facing difficulties and struggling for survival, its management is likely to be reluctant to allow researchers to conduct in-depth investigations of their practices, fearing the potential publicizing of their problems. Within a successful organization, however, information is more available and the researcher is more welcome.

In conducting this study I depended initially on reviewing of documents and on participant observation. Such methods were the least intrusive and the most useful, at that time when I was least known and the organization was busy launching its season. Eventually I began to ask questions and to pursue an extensive program of unstructured and semistructured interviews.

Most members of the organization were interviewed, together with many present and past board members, volunteers, singers, musicians, stagehands, and members of the audience. The leaders of this organization, as well as certain influential individuals, were interviewed several times. Perhaps the most important contribution of this study is the detail it provides about the dynamics of operations in an individual cultural organization; such dissected anatomy helps many cultural organizations to reflect on their own functioning. In that sense, this study helps to carry research in arts organizations a step further away from broad generalities, toward deeper modes of analysis.

CONTENTS
Preface.
List of tables and figures.

Chapter 1. Introduction.

Chapter 2. Performing Arts: The view from within.

The occupational world of the performing arts.
Supportive agents.
The Season.

Chapter 3. Performing arts: The managerial challenge.

Financial stability.
Audience development.
Organizational control.
Management role.
Opera: Its unique case.

Chapter 4. The Seattle opera: a decade of survival.

The City of Seattle a cultural perspective.
The Seattle opera.
Stages of development.

Chapter 5. Decision making structure.

The Board of Trustees.
The General Director.

Chapter 6. Organizational practices.

Financing the organization.
Producing opera.
Selling opera.
Managing the organizations.

Chapter 7. Goals, Legitimacy, and Organizational Survival.

Strategic factors in survival.
Recommendations for the Seattle opera.
Further implications of this study.

References.
Bibliography.
Index.
About the author.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Creative Economies