One of the purposes of a university is to promote arts and culture. Carolina Performing Arts does just that.
As ticket sales are showing for the 2012-13 season, CPA is carrying out this role particularly well by lining up performances of well-known works that people actually want to see.
CPA should continue this practice in future seasons for the successful promotion of arts at UNC.
The more prominent and well-known a performance is, the better the ticket sales are, because people like to hear and see something that’s at least somewhat familiar to them.
People don’t want to see or hear performances of works that they have never heard of — doing so is a gamble that could leave them with less money and more disappointment.
To attract audiences and submerse them in arts and culture, an organization must have a staple performance that people know or can relate to themselves. CPA has shown its understanding of this concept and should be lauded for it.
Last season, CPA held two well-received performances of works by Beethoven. This year, the inclusion of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” and other well-known pieces in their season line-up has allowed CPA to bring in some of its highest revenues in recent years.
Stravinsky, considered to be among the greatest composers of the 20th century, still commands a tremendously large following of fans. CPA did well showcasing one of his most acclaimed works, “The Rite of Spring.”
Introductions to great pieces can encourage audiences to further develop their artistic interests.
