An update on the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance merger

Is there a different model for what we do? Neal Gittleman, artistic director of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, first suggested the new approach two years ago.

“We thought we needed to look at something bigger to turn things around and have a real possibility for an upside, rather than just trying to keep the downside at bay,” he recalls. 

Last March, I wrote two blogs (Part I and Part II) about the newly formed Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA)—a merger between the Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera and Dayton Philharmonic.

So what’s happening? The Chronicle of Philanthropy did a super article on the process and accomplishments to date, including major financial commitments from the Dayton Foundation ($500,000 over two years) and an anonymous donor ($500,000 over two years). The anonymous donor also agreed to another $250,000 if the merged groups proved financial sustainability.

The DPAA produced a very cool 'press release' video to introduce the Alliance. The six-and-a-half minute video shares their challenges, aspirations, hopes and fears. Watch it!

What do you think of the merger?