Saturday, July 31, 2010

Wealthy Groups to Use Tax-Funded Artisphere for Major Fund Raising

Hi, Yupette,

Now that the Artisphere's construction has been funded by tax dollars the wealthy performing arts (and other) groups will begin using the Artisphere for fund-raising. First major event is a pre-opening Gala in early October.

There was no significant fund raising to contribute to the Artisphere's construction by the wealthy groups that will use the Artisphere (which is managed by Arlington County). Several million dollars were stripped from the County's pay-as-you go accounts to fund Artisphere construction.

2100

21 comments:

22207 said...

McCaffrey won't publish this and similar information about wealthy non-profits who are ripping off Arlington taxpayers in the Sun Gazette.

Anonymous said...

Did you see in the Gazette Packet what's going to happen to the Torpedo Factory? The real artists are going to be kicked out to create an artsy-craftsy tourist trap.

Bethany said...

Torpedo Factory already is an artsy-craftsy tourist trap.

Jeff said...

What a bunch of rich pigs. Can someone post the names of the people who are on the boards of these rich pig arts organizations who got welfare-for-the-wealthy from the taxpayers?

Middle Class Progressive said...

They're a bunch of New Democrats. Just like the New Democrats who are attending Chelsea Clinton's wedding.

Anonymous said...

Anything in the 3-day Artisphere Gala for the taxpayers who paid for the Artisphere? Or will we we have to pay $25 for tickets and $5 for a latte to see some violence acted on stage, e.g., scenes from "Sweeney Todd"?

Let's Be Free said...

Charles E Smith/Vornando Real Estate (overlords of Crystal City) are at the top of the pyramid scheme.

They "give back" to the community by gracing the community with their presence at wine and cheese receptions and buying taxpayer subsidized tickets to theatrical openings in taxpayer subsidized venues, all the while operating free of Federal income taxes. Corporate welfare is alive and well at all levels.

What's in it for the taxpayer is that Jimmy Moran will funnel more taxpayer subsidies to Crystal City so Charles E Smith/Vornando can survive for another day to give back yet again.

Anonymous said...

Close guess as to the on-stage mayhem scheduled for the Hedosphere. First major production will be Richard III.

XXX said...

I understand why the Wash Post supports the USA fighting wars in the Third World. If we did not there would not be so much wealth sucked into this region from everywhere in the world (from taxes and borrowing) to fund these Yuppie extravagances.

Rosslyn business owner said...

There is zero philanthropy associated with the Artisphere. All the money came from tax dollars, tax breaks, and tax loopholes.

Anonymous said...

Someone should try to find the client list of Healthy Companies International, the corporation Fi$$ette's domestic partner, Robert Rosen, owns.

Anonymous said...

Who do I blame? The candidates for public office who say they oppose the Yuppiecrats. But when it comes to speaking out against these taxpayer rips-offs they are too busy with little league, soccer practice, etc., to attend the meetings where this stuff is approved.

22205 said...

Most of the 'planning' decisions for these projects are made by 'planners' who don't live in Arlington and by out-of-state developers.

Anonymous said...

Parks & Recreation staff who make planning decisions don't live in Arlington either.

Joan - 22207 said...

Hi, insofar as I can determine the boards of directors of the Washington Shakespeare Company, Bowen McCauley Dance, and National Chamber Ensemble are all Yupscale and could have easily raised the $10 million the Artisphere has (so far) cost Arlington's taxpayers.

Anonymous said...

From the Web site of Healthy Companies International, HCI's clients include:

The University of Virginia
Booz, Allen, Hamilton
New York Life
Boeing
Intel
ING
NFU Mutual
Duke Corporate Education
Medistar Health
Bayer
Macys
Freddie Mac
Dyncorp International
Northrup Grumman
Price Waterhouse Coopers
Johnson and Johnson

EFC Homeowner said...

Pretty outrageous. Fisette's domestic partner owns Heallthy Companies International? Located in a county that uses the public library as a year-around homeless shelter? How healthy is that?

struggling arts group board member said...

Fisette's domestic partner clears between $2 million and $3 million per year. He and Jay could have written a check to pay for the Artisphere.

Anonymous said...

Anyone know if Vornado/Charles E. Smith is one of Bob Rosen's clients?

V. said...

Inviting Bob Rosen to evaluate your medium to large corporation's 'health' is a cost of doing business in Arlington.

Anonymous said...

Ten million dollars were stripped from the 2009-2011 budgets to fund this give away to the performing arts. The performing arts groups are the only arts groups that matter in Arlington anymore.