EXECUTIVE PAY

Some leaders of arts organizations are receiving annual pay increases of 10 percent or more, even though many performing-arts groups are facing severe financial woes, reports The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper examined the pay of about a dozen arts leaders who earned more than $500,000 in the season ending in 2004; the top six made $1-million to $2-million. Orchestras say they need to pay such big salaries to retain the world’s top conductors, who may be lured by government-backed arts programs in Europe that can often offer higher pay than groups in the United States. Among the arts leaders whose pay is examined: Daniel Baremboin, director of the Chicago Sympony Orchestra, has seen his salary soar 69 percent in five years, to $2-million, the newspaper says. (A paid subscription is required to view this article.)