Early in his career, though, the obvious gay eroticism in his dances stirred plenty of controversy. When the Mark Morris Dance Group had its prestigious stint as the resident company at Belgium's Theatre Royal de la Monnaie in the '80s, many critics were inflamed. Morris accepted the Belgian engagement primarily because the terms were irresistible. The European system offered a home theater, rehearsal space and a living wage, none of which, despite the unprecedented success of the Mark Morris Dance Group, were obtainable in the United States. Despite the recent tortured history of the NEA and all its cutbacks, Morris isn't too worried about cash flow.
Opera seems healthy, and music is in good condition.
People should be supported by the culture and society to do work which is good in every medium. The Mark Morris Dance Group is as stable as they've ever been. For years they've had to rent studio space all over New York City, but they're about to move into their first permanent home. Millions of dollars are being raised and we'll have a building with studios near the Brooklyn Academy of Music. But I think changes are coming.