Perhaps a positive result of the arts having to justify their value in terms of education, economic benefits, etc., apparently some colleges and universities are contracting artists using availability to do residencies as a primary criteria.
In the article “Campus Precedents” found in APAP’s September/October Inside Arts (alas, the article is not available online) Jenna Russell cites a number of schools like Ohio University and Dartmouth where residencies are scheduled before performances. She quotes Clarice Smith PAC’s (at U. of MD) Marketing Director, Charles Helm, “We won’t have [artists] here if they can’t stay longer to work with students. It is absolutely imperative.”
The residencies aren’t just in topics directly associated with performing arts either. According to the article, a residency at Dartmouth had performers rappelling down the walls of the science center lobby while a physics professor talked about the elements of momentum and gravity in the performance.
But even classes in arts subject areas are getting a more enhanced experience than they have in the past. The residencies allow students to become involved in master classes and open rehearsals essentially gaining insights and skills they won’t get in their normal classes.
Unfortunately, while the residencies have been educationally valuable to students, it hasn’t increased student attendance at performances significantly. There has been some growth, but students still comprise a minority of the audiences at these residential campuses where students can walk to the arts center and student tickets are under $10.
This is all very interesting to me since some faculty on campus have started thinking about how the events in the season can tie into their classes. I have also been thinking that perhaps my ticket prices could be a little lower for students, but that doesn’t seem to be any great incentive according to this article. I have also been following Andrew Taylor and Drew McManus’ recent entries on ticket pricing as an element in deciding to purchase.