A Musician´s Santa Claus

Name a society in which artists as a class are richly rewarded for their artistic achievements. I didn´t think you could. I can´t either. Of course, once artists achive a high level of popularity, material rewards follow. But for most artists, material rewards are meager at best.

This isn´t a complaint. It´s just a statement about how it is. And in light of that, this seems like an appropriate time to thank those who contribute generously in support of the arts. Thanksgiving is just behind us and Christmas is, as they say, just a few shopping days ahead. There are Santa Clauses in our midst and they don´t get the recognition they deserve.

I´m talking about the patrons of the arts. Of course, the seekers of profit also do their bit to support the arts but their motive is clear. And I think it´s a good thing, an obviously indispensable thing that our society includes those willing to risk their own capital with the hope that the public will support the arts and that their will be enough money remaining afterward to pay the artist AND the person willing to put his capital on the line to make it all happen.

The patrons of the arts, on the other hand, have huge hearts. They are willing to give their money away in furtherance of the arts.

In my home town of Eugene, Oregon, we are blessed with many individuals willing to contribute generously in support of the arts. For example, Jim and Ginevra Ralph started The Shedd Institute for the Arts by purchasing a beautiful downtown church from the Baptists and converting it to a combination performing arts hall and center for teaching music. The results have been impressive, both in terms of community enrichment by offering dozens of shows by international artists and by teaching hundreds of people, mostly school age children, more about music.

They didn´t do it by themselves but they were the leaders of the Shedd. They contribute time and money in a very big way.

Most communities have benefactors such as the Ralphs but few are fortunate enough to receive such large scale generosity and support. That´s why the real Santa Clauses for the arts, especially the musical arts, are people like the Ralphs. So to all the many Ralphs out there, thank you very much. Without you, music would not get the exposure it deserves and from which communities benefit so much.