San Francisco Performances

We’re championing a new generation of younger artists who were also looking at ways to make this art form relevant, contemporary, and even more equitable” Author - Melanie SmithIn this episode, our featured voice is Melanie Smith, President of San Francisco Performances. San Francisco Performances is an innovative curator of established classical music, jazz, and dance artists as well as a leading supporter of the next generation of performance artists with a commitment to equity for all. Their artist’s residencies provide opportunities for public school students who encounter music and dance for the very first time—to engage personally with artists and gain a deeper understanding of their work.The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a very big economic impact on performance organizations and the performing art community with an estimated 50% unemployment rate for performance artists on a national level. The financial impact will continue since the gathering of people in theaters will be one of the last business sectors to re-open in the San Francisco Bay Area.  To Melanie and John’s point performing art organizations are being forced to develop new models of live streaming of shows and when small socially distanced audiences can come back into the theater the creation of hybrid performances of both on-line and in person could become the new theater experience. To find out more about how you support San Francisco Performances 41st season go to sf performances dot org. 🎧Explore Our Award-Winning Special SeriesIf you enjoyed this episode, dive deeper into our 4-part legacy of impact:Where Art Meets Impact: How creativity drives systemic change. Season 1 and Season 2From Bankruptcy to Reinvention: The story of Stockton’s resilience. COVID-19’s Impact Series: Navigating the pandemic's effect on our community.Making the Invisible Visible: Discover the untold stories of finding home.