Crowdfunding - An Easier Way to Support the Arts

You open an email to find yet another plea to give money to Company ABC and help "Save the Music" or "Ensure XYZ, Inc's season happens."  Yet there is nothing to tell you how your money will actually help do just that.  Enter an innovative idea that has come about thanks to the world wide web -- Crowdfunding.

Wikipedia defines crowdfunding as:

an approach to raising the capital required for a new project or enterprise by appealing to large numbers of ordinary people for small donations. While such an approach has long precedents in the sphere of charity, it is receiving renewed attention from entrepreneurs such as independent film makers, now that social media and online communities make it possible to reach out to a group of potentially interested supporters at very low cost.

"How does this change things?" you may ask, "I am still being asked for money."  Yes, you are.  The difference is this:

• A crowd funding site lists a wide variety of projects to fund.  You can browse projects based on interest, location, or anything else.  You can fund a project to develop new works, to produce traditional crowd-pleasers or revive lesser-known pieces that should be done more often.
• You are positioned to better evaluate the organizations you fund by viewing their online proposals.  The best proposals will contain all of the pertinent information for producing the project and the gifts provided in exchange for the funds your provide.
• You must receive something in return for the funds you are providing.  The organization you are funding must give you something in return for your contribution, whether it is a special thank you email, a pen, magnet or tickets to a production.  
• You are able to spread your funding interests to a wide range of organizations and help more projects come to fruition.

Opera Manhattan has crowd funding sites for several upcoming projects.  They include:


Hansel and Gretel
Women on the Verge
The Magical Opera Trunk (watch for an updated link)

FEATURED EMERGING ARTIST: JUNKO WATANABE

Opera Manhattan's renewed mission to support artists has led to the creation of this blog post in which an artist currently participating in the Artist Development Program will be highlighted.  Opera Manhattan is proud to be able to support them in monthly features and help them grow through unique opportunities not offered anywhere else.  This blog feature will be your chance to get an inside look at Opera Manhattan and get as excited as we are to help these talented young singers.
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Junko Watanabe, Japanese soprano, has been thrilling audiences worldwide with her "Honey-strong voice" (The New Haven Register). On her debut of Cio-Cio-san in Madama Butterfly with Opera Theater of Connecticut in 2007, The Shore Arts wrote, "She was not pretending to be Butterfly. She became her right before your eyes and drew a sustained standing ovation...."

Last season Junko sang Mimi in OMRT's ground-breaking production of La Boheme. She has sung Liù in Turandot at Alice Tully Hall with New York Asian Symphony Orchestra, and also with Dicapo Opera Theatre. She has sung the title role in Madama Butterfly with Opera Theater of Connecticut (OTC) and also appeared with OTC in a Gala Concert at the Sanibel Music Festival. Awards include a Citation Award as an outstanding Artist from the Sate of New Jersey in 2010 and The Artist International Special Presentation Award in 2005, which led to her debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall.


Junko has also been an enthusiastic presenter of Japanese music with Koto, a traditional instrument, at churches, schools and in concert halls. She was selected to sing the Japansese national anthem at the Emperor's 77th Birthday celebration at Japan embassy.

Junko received her Master of Music and Professional Certificate from Manhattan School of Music.

Brand New Season, Brand New Company

Greetings Opera-Lovers everywhere!

Opera Manhattan has recently gone through a major over-haul to the structure of the company, the mission and vision of where the company fits into this crazy world of witches and cowboys, gods and water nymphs, humans and mythical serpents.  I am excited to report that we have returned to our original mission in this enchanted world -- development of the entrepreneurial-minded artist.  Simply put, Opera Manhattan is returning to its roots.

You might say that  many companies already cater to young and emerging artists through YAP's (Young Artist Programs).  That is true.  Yet, there seems to be a black hole into which artists fall between their education and the career for which they are expected to be prepared.  They receive little or no on-stage experience singing full roles.

Additionally, YAP's typically have age limits and do not help worthy singers grow into a career that for some artists might not start until their late 30's.  One day 10 years down the road, these young artists are expected to step out onto a big stage and be able to perform an opera with larger-than-life characters and be great.  Yet, how do they do this if they never get the opportunity to grow as an artist ON THE STAGE?

That is where Opera Manhattan comes in!  Identifying talented emerging artists and giving them a home where they can: cultivate the roles they will become known for in the future; research and develop these amazingly dramatic characters; learn marketing, taxes, networking, entrepreneurship and assertive communication; and simply grow through self-exploration.  These are the simple things artists so desperately need to learn and develop, yet never seem to learn in a traditional YAP or educational setting.

Opera Manhattan -- A Company for Artists by Artists -- is returning to its roots!  It will be the company for artists that are local, organic, home-grown American talent.

Join our campaign and help us to support them!

Thank you,

V.W. Smith
Executive Director