President of the Kennedy Center Michael H. Kaiser to Lead Discussion

Michael H. Kaiser, President of  The John. F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, will come to Houston to lead a discussion Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009.  This program is being hosted by the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) and the University of Houston College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and will address the challenges facing non-profit performing arts organizations today through such areas as fundraising, building more effective Boards of Trustees, budgeting, and marketing.

Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative was created in February 2009 as a response to the emergency facing arts organizations throughout the United States.  The program, open to non-profit 501(c)(3) performing arts organizations, provides free and confidential planning assistance in areas pertinent to maintaining a vital performing arts organization during a troubled economy.  The program also enables senior arts managers across the United States to volunteer to serve as mentors to other arts organizations.

“We are honored to support this important initiative to preserve arts organizations will be held today’s economy,” says Houston Arts Alliance CEO Jonathon Glus.

The discussion which is being held on Dec. 1^st from 9:30 am until 11:00 am will be held at University of Houston, Moores Opera House - entrance 16 off Cullen Blvd.  Parking is available in Lot 16F. Space is limited with pre-reservations only. Those interested in attending the Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Initiative discussion, please contact the Houston Arts Alliance at www.haatx.com.  For more information on the Arts in Crisis program please contact: www.artsincrisis.org.

Non-profit performing arts organizations who would like to participate in the program should visit www.artsincrisis.org to submit an online request.  The Kennedy Center will quickly match organizations in need with a member of the Kennedy Center executive staff or a volunteer mentor in their local area.

About Houston Arts Alliance

The Houston Arts Alliance is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization that seeks to advance the nonprofit arts industry in the Houston region, thus contributing to the enhancement of the region’s quality of life, economic competitiveness and attractiveness as a tourist destination.  Its mission is to nurture, fund, advocate, and promote participation in the arts in Houston and Harris County.  For more information, visit the web site at www.haatx.com.