I like that
these people aren't asking the taxpayers to foot the bill:
A determined group of parents, educators, students and alumni will begin the new year by kicking off a search for corporate sponsors to help them build a state-of-the art performing arts center at El Camino Fundamental High School.
The organization – ecARTS – wants to build a 600-seat theater with an orchestra pit, backstage facilities and professional lighting and sound at the campus in north Sacramento. A large lobby would serve as a gallery for student art.
As I stated in the comments on that article:
As long as the taxpayers aren't on the line for the cost, why should anyone object to this project? Donors can pay for whatever they like.
What they're seeking is more than the taxpayer should have to pay for, and they're seeking money for this project the right way. Kudos.
Won't SJUSD put the kibosh on this? This is the reason the SJUSD high schools have the worst athletic facilities in Sacramento County. SJUSD wants any money to go to a "general fund" helping "all schools" which completely takes the wind out of the sails of anyone who wants to help out a particular school. I'll be interested to see if this proposal gets approval from the admin.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the quoted article:
ReplyDeleteThe school board has signed off on the facility, which would displace the tennis courts, requiring that they be moved. The group plans to build restrooms and a snack bar to serve at athletic functions.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/27/4146527/sacramentos-el-camino-fundamental.html#storylink=cpy
You know about the current Green Bay Packers' fundraising for a stadium expansion? If not, you'll love it.
ReplyDelete-Mark Roulo
I know nothing about it. Enlighten me?
ReplyDeleteThe Green Bay Packers are selling STOCK in the team to raise the money (or at least a large portion of it) for a stadium expansion.
ReplyDeleteThe interesting bit is that while the stock is "real" ... You can attend the annual shareholders meeting and vote on team related decisions just like a normal company, for example ...the stock pays no dividends and cannot be resold.
Essentially, the Green Bay Packers are asking their fans to fund the stadium expansion (NOTE: The Packers are a non-profit organization, so this isn't quite the money grab it might appear to be).
I think this is a much cooler way to do this sort of thing than to get the local politicians to agree to give the team money.
FYI, legally you do wind up as a part owner of the Packers when buying this stock. The Packers are the only NFL team with this broad-based an ownership structure.
-Mark Roulo
I'd heard before that people could buy stock in the Packers but that it wasn't publicly traded--now I know how that works, gracias!
ReplyDeleteWhile I am all for the arts and I believe that knowledge of things beyond science and math are what makes us a civilization,I also believe that for art to be valid it should be self sufficient. It drives me crazy to see artists, some of whom I went to school with, who live posh champagne lifestyles funded by federal, state and local grants. Either your art is good, speaks to the masses and is worth a bundle, or it isn't. I think the same attitude should apply to music, theater, dance and more. Dance programs like Stomp and Pilobilous always sell out because the public demands it. Ditto acts like The Blue Man Group, any of the Cirque productions, various art tours and film productions. Cream rises to the top. What has happened with our current arts funding system is that mediocre production is supported for no good reason. I would add, this also applies to college and high school athletic programs which are surreptitiously supported by fees tacked onto tuition and funding.
ReplyDelete