Dance-Group Article Missed a Step

To the Editor:

As a former capital-campaign assistant to Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, I felt compelled to write in response to Vince Stehle’s article in the September 18th issue (“Dance Center Lands Back on Its Feet”).

Mr. Stehle’s assertion that the festival chose bond debt over conducting any kind of capital campaign is completely untrue, not to mention a complete disservice to the donors, board members, consultants, and staff who were committed to securing the resources so critical to the future of Jacob’s Pillow.

While the sequence of events at Jacob’s Pillow makes an interesting case study, a more accurate perspective could have been given if the topic of funding for dance, and particularly modern dance, had been explored.

Dance has historically been grossly underfunded and undercapitalized compared to other art forms. Even as contributed income for programs and special projects at Jacob’s Pillow was growing, corporations and foundations issued rejections to capital requests in droves.

Jacob’s Pillow was poised to go under in a state of disrepair and with an inability to expand audience capacity and earned revenue. Bond financing and $3-million in capital gifts allowed work to be done which underscored the cultural value and potential of Jacob’s Pillow.

Sadly, a lack of funding opportunities persists for the field of dance as a whole. Is the art form destined to a shrinking presence and precarious existence on our cultural landscape?

Heather E. Williams
Development Director
Seattle International Children’s Festival
Seattle