How is your symphony orchestra supported?

[ChamberNut]

I thought I had started a thread like this, maybe a year ago, but can't seem to find it with the search function.

So here goes.....how is your city's symphony orchestra operated and supported?

For the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the breakdown currently is as follows:

Ticket sales 38%
Grants (Civic, Provincial, Federal) 38%
WSO Supporters (Corporate and Individuals) 21%
Endowment Fund 2%
Interest and other 1%

I imagine for the larger symphony orchestras, the percentage for ticket sales is a lot higher.  Although the WSO has done extremely well operationally for the past 3 or 4 years, I think the greatest concern would be the high % of the Grants.  Ideally, if the percentage would increase from both ticket sales and supporters, then wouldn't need to rely as much on government funding, which is never assured or can be permanently relied upon.

[Harpo]

I thought I had started a thread like this, maybe a year ago, but can't seem to find it with the search function.

So here goes.....how is your city's symphony orchestra operated and supported?

Our smallish Winston-Salem symphony is supported by ticket sales, individual contributions, a local Arts Council grant, and corporate sponsorships. Also ads in the program. I couldn't find the %s. When the symphony had a $79,000 deficit a few months ago, individual donors made up the difference quickly with $5000 to spare. Our current conductor is good at PR and charm, and he also created several mini-classical, jazz and children's series to draw in a wider population.

[Franco]

The Nashville Symphony is financed through tickets sales, normal fund raising and government grants.  As far as community support as reflected in attendance, I'd say it is fairly well supported.  We have a new hall, built about three years ago, which is a very nice venue.  Programming is conservative, but the concerts I've been to the orchestra and guest soloists played well and the evening was a pleasure.

[Cato]

The Columbus Symphony went bankrupt last year and cancelled most of their season!  They have a modest schedule this year, after some sort of financial package was put together.

They have the usual funding of ticket sales, foundation grants, public monies, etc.

This is in an area of a million residents (Columbus plus suburbs) where people think nothing of spending $300.+ in one day for the mania surrounding Ohio State Football!