Phoenix: Opera moves to cut costs

Friday, June 19, 2009
Revenue loss forces opera to reorganize
Phoenix Business Journal - by Lynn Ducey


The Arizona Opera, facing tough choices in this economy, has decided to look inside the organization for cost savings while protecting its full lineup of performances this fall.

Faced with a 25 percent to 30 percent decrease in donor contributions, the state’s oldest opera group has moved to cut expenses and consolidate operations.

Six positions have been eliminated and a two-week, across-the-board mandatory furlough and 10 percent staff pay cut were instituted as the group prepares to start its new fiscal year July 1, said David Christensen, chairman of Arizona Opera’s board of trustees.

“We are no different than any arts organization in the United States. The key is that we have to recognize it,” Christensen said.


Arizona Opera moves to cut costs
Phoenix Business Journal
Monday, June 15, 2009


Arizona Opera is slashing costs as it moves to keep its full slate of productions for the 2009-2010 season, officials said.

To bring expenses in line with anticipated income, several senior positions have been consolidated, staff layoffs and furloughs were implemented, salaries have been reduced across the board and the overall budget was restructured.

“The Board of Trustees evaluated every scenario before proceeding with some tough but strategically sound decisions," said incoming chairman of the board David Christensen. "Every arts organization in Arizona and across the country must adjust to current economic realities.”

Christensen also addressed the employment picture.

“On behalf of the board, I express our gratitude to (general manager) Debra Harrison, (senior director of development) Lisa Bury and (senior director of artistic operations) Roberto Mauro who are leaving to pursue their careers elsewhere. Their hard work and dedicated leadership has helped Arizona Opera become a more efficient and focused organization."

The group is expected to hire a general director to head its overall operations. The position is expected to be filled by this fall, officials said



Profile
Lisa Bury attempting to take Arizona Opera to the next level
Phoenix Business Journal - by Lynn Ducey
Friday, April 18, 2008


Lisa Bury is a renaissance woman, having trained in the arts as a professional musician and teacher. And if she's not buried in Sunday's New York Times, she spends her off-hours cooking and entertaining.

As the newly arrived senior director of development for Arizona Opera, Bury is charged with taking that organization to the next level.

"I am really excited by the potential here," she says. "Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the country now, and in order to propel the quality of life forward, the opera can play a really important role because world-class cities have world-class arts organizations."

Bury knows about world-class cities. Before she arrived in the Valley last summer, she was director of corporate, foundation and government support at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

"It is the biggest of all the Chicago opera companies," she says. "Lyric Opera has a $52 million operating budget. There are almost 100 full-time employees, and the opera puts on eight full productions and 79 performances a season."

That's a bit different from Arizona Opera, which has a $6.6 million operating budget and divides its time between Phoenix and Tucson, presenting five productions totaling 30 performances during its season. But Bury says the influx of new residents and affluent empty-nesters wintering here promise a bright future.

Dave Christensen, president of Arizona Opera's board of trustees, has worked with Bury almost daily since her arrival to expand the organization's reach.

"I was very happy when she decided to come here," he says. "She has a great personality and a great skill set. I really enjoy working with her.