With cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus now confirmed in at least 28 states in the U.S., arts organizations across the country are beginning to feel the impact, with some orchestras and venues cancelling tours or concerts, revisiting emergency plans, and seeking guidance from experts in an effort to keep their staff and patrons safe and reassured. The Boston Symphony Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra cancelled tours to Asia, the San Francisco Symphony has cancelled four concerts after the city shut down War Memorial Performing Arts Center venues, including its home of its Davies Symphony Home, and Carnegie Hall postponed a concert of traditional Korean music because of difficulties the artists faced in traveling amidst the outbreak. Some orchestras, including the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, are keeping patrons informed of efforts to keep concert halls cleaned and offering expedited exchanges for tickets for upcoming performances should ticket holders decide not to attend a concert.
This Saturday on A Tempo (3/7 at 7 pm), host Rachel Katz explores how some arts organizations are responding. She'll speak with Mollie Quinlan-Hayes, of ArtsReady, an online source offering readiness and preparedness resources for arts organizations, and Adam Perle, President and CEO of ArtPrideNJ, an advocacy and service organization for New Jersey arts organizations. She will also interview National Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Gary Ginstling about its decisions to cancel its tour and instead offer local performances, including at the Japanese Embassy.
