Florida Grand Opera General Director Susan T. Danis, who joined the company two years ago, has written to patrons saying the company's business plan is not working, there is nothing left to sell, and there is no money for new productions:
Since 2006, FGO has sustained only one break-even year. On average the company has not met its income projections annually, which has resulted in significant deficits. Our sole method for survival to date has been the sale of our assets. After the sale of our administrative offices in Doral is finalized, there will be nothing left to sell.Clearly the current business plan is not working. Our immediate response has been to cut $2 million from our production budget for the current season. Unfortunately, these four productions may be the only combination of repertoire that we can produce for $8.6 million, which represents a $2 million budget reduction. This isn’t a sustainable model.
Across the country arts organizations are facing enormous fiscal challenges in the wake of the economic downturn. It is a bold, new world for the arts and for fundraising. Organizations that were in a solid financial position prior to the downturn are still facing challenging times. Struggling companies are facing an imperative to change and adapt immediately. Through my analysis of the organization I have discovered that FGO, your opera company, is one of these companies and the time is now to make a change for the future.