What Does it Say About Us? The NYC Opera Closing

This may not be the final scene  but it is the beginning of the final act for The New York City Opera.

The spokesman for the board announced “Today, the board and management will begin the necessary financial and operational steps to wind down the company including initiating the Chapter 11 process.”


I know that I seem obsessed over this story but it really does distress and sadden me.  

The New York City Opera closing, the contents of the Detroit Art Institute may be put on the chopping block, orchestras across the country are closing or cutting back, libraries limiting hours of operations, small museums closing, arts in the schools being cut, preforming arts centers being sold and turned into retail or residential spaces and community theaters are darkened.


What does it say about a nation that does not care about it's arts and culture or appreciates the contributions the creative classes offer to the local community and society at large?  

What does it say about us as a people if art means nothing, if New York City can't support two excellent opera companies?  

Who are we as a people if libraries close and we are not disturbed by it?  

What does it say about our society if we don't care if our PBS/NPR stations struggle, cut back or close?

One of this nations great opera company is shuttered and one of this nations great repositories of fine art may close to solve the problems of a mismanaged and neglected city and so few people either notice or worse yet even care.

But, a Kardashian gets knocked up by an ego maniacal and delusion pop/rap star and this country notices and many of care a great deal. 

What does it say about us? 
.