After the Arts to Zoo ballot measure was passed by Fresno voters in 1993, the city stopped giving grants to arts organizations, Lustig says. When the measure was declared unconstitutional in 1996, however, those grants weren't restored. Valley people aren't known for being culturally adventurous. I didn't do it, because people had never heard of it. They wouldn't have gone.
Older audiences are more supportive of the fine arts, and Valley demographics are getting younger.
Gray, as in hair. That could spell trouble in years to come. That core is beginning to diminish as they age. I don't see our younger audiences replacing them, and that's very frightening to me. There's a lot of competition for limited dollars - and attention.