Wallace Foundation pours cash into St. Paul performing arts organizations

by Jay Gabler, TC Daily Planet • 11/14/08 • Arts Partnership members to collectively receive $2.25 million.The four members of downtown St. Paul's Arts Partnership—the Minnesota Opera, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, and the Schubert Club—are surely nervous about launching a major capital campaign in this volatile economic climate. As of this week, though, they have a little less reason to be nervous: the Wallace Foundation has made audience development grants of $750,000 each to the Opera, the SPCO, and the Ordway. (As noted in my review of Abduction from the Seraglio, this is indeed an area where the Opera could use a little help.) In the Arts Partnership's press release announcing the news, they promise that the cash will be used for "grassroots and viral marketing strategies." It will be interesting to see what this entails; if an oboist comes knocking at your door selling season tickets, you'll have the Wallace Foundation to thank.

Arts Orbit is a multisource blog about the local arts scene, featuring both original contributions by Daily Planet writers and entries reprinted from partner blogs and online publications. Follow ArtsOrbit on Twitter and subscribe to the weekly arts newsletter for the latest scoop.

Today, Mayor Chris Coleman issued a jubilant press release: "The Soul of our City is found in our arts community. As we compete for business, jobs and residents, our arts community helps drive economic development and keeps Saint Paul strong and growing. Saint Paul is the Most Livable City in America because of what our arts institutions bring to our city with their world-class talent." They don't call it the Capital City for nothing. Photo: The Minnesota Opera's Romeo and Juliet.