Board members Quote by Brice Marden
“Every time I open the paper, there's some symphony orchestra collapsing somewhere in the United States. What the hell is going on? And then you find out that the board members try to run these things as businesses.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 1995
The quote highlights the frequent collapse of symphony orchestras in the US, attributing it to mismanagement when treated as businesses.
In simple terms: Orchestras often fail because they’re run like profit‑driven companies.
Key Takeaway
Treat cultural institutions with artistic, not purely commercial, priorities.
Themes
culture
management
arts
business
mismanagement
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- budget cuts
- board decisions
- community support
- fundraising
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
nonprofit governance
financial sustainability
artistic integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can orchestras balance financial health with artistic integrity?
- What alternative models could sustain them?
A Different Perspective
Commercial pressures can stifle artistic missions.
