Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
Community Institute Programs
BY FREDERIC ]. H4SKIN.

Those who have made even a whirl-
wind tour of Europe return pralsns
the cheapness of cultural programs
presented over there and lamentlns
the high prices of such in TINS country
Whereas admissions abroad are suCh
a pittance that art does not peiong 70
any one class. many Americans who
amuse themselves with rolier coaster
rides and the movies do so because tney
cannot afford our cultural entertain
ment. It follows that 1t Is set apart
and branded as high hat.
However. there Is a movement in the
United States which is taking cultural
programs to the people at prices sc
cheap that not only are all enthusiasts
gratified to be able to ind1'se their
tastes. but many who ere merely look
ing for cheap entertainment are at
tracted and learn to enjoy finer things
One of the outstanding leaders In
this movement, the Community Instl-
tute of Washington. has announced
a course OF entertainment Tor next
Winter its second season, which be-
cause of its excellence is attracting
much attention, and because Of Its
cheapness arouses amaZement,
Having one successful season to its
credit much curiosity has been evlnccd
as to the hows and wherefores OF the
system. 1t is only natural that other
community groups should want to know
how it is possible to present nationally
known artists and speakers at MINI
mum charge of 80 cents or maximum
of so cents for an evening.
The reasons this has been possible
are bound up in the development OF
the community movement and IN a
clever scheme of finance.
Use of Public Schools.
Permission to use the public schoo
buildings for recreational. educational
social and civic purposes without pecu-
mary profit is the corner stone on which
the whole community center work as
well as the Community Institute pro-
gram is built 1t actually amounts tc
the government subsidy. familiar
abroad, for the donation of the build
ings. their equipment and in Washing
ton their equipment and heating CORE
spends to equivalent gifts OF money:
For a number of years the Community
Center Department has permitted altru-
istic organizations To use public Schco
auditoriums for entertainments rur
without profit. officials. believing that
the department itself was In better
position to handle such affairs. decided
that 1t should act as sponsor, rather
than supervisor The Washington
Society of Fine Arts, which had made
available to residents OF the DiStric'
splendid programs at minimum cost
was asked to cooperate by emitting its
usual series and by having some of its
members act on the committee to ar
range a program OF what was named
the Community Institute.
This organization under the man
agement of the Community Center
Department of the public schools botf
presented in 1929 and has announced
for the coming season series OF bi-weeklS
events to be held I'm the evening. ThE
cost Of one ticket for the entire season
is So often the cost of any one OF tins
attractions under private management.
Guaranty Plan.
Since the Community Institute is moi
commercial and makes no profit anc
since II is not possible to sell tickets
for a program unless the business de-
tails have been negotiated. 1t was neceS-
sary to raise enough money to meet
contract requirements in signing uE
artists and lecturers for the coming
season. The clever scheme employed
by those IN charge of the institute 70
meet this need has been entirely IN
keeping with the ideals OF a community
enterprise.
Instead of asking few wealthy in
dividuals to put up the guaranty fund
large number Of people who are In
terested In the promotion of cultural
projects are asked to share in the un-
dertaking
The plan works out In this manner
Interested persons were asked TO guar
antee certain sums to total $4,000. the
largest being 800, the next $50 and
the minimum $40. Those who guaran-
teed 500 put up deposit of $40. The
$50 guarantee called for IS deposit,
and the $40 guarantee for one of So,
the actual cost of season ticket,
Guarantors OF the first two classes
each received two tickets for the season
and those of the last class one season
ticket
That the 1929 program has been
q success was demonstrated when guar
antors were informed that their de-
posits were intact at the end of the
season. That the scheme of financing
the series was equally as successful, was
proved by the ease with which tho
secretary Mrs l.. Il. SwoFmstedl, n.
able TO secure guarantors for the coming
season. Actually 1t is considered a privi-
lege to be a gnarantor. and the number
Is limited by the amount set as the
limit necessary to finance the under
taking.
The Public Library has also cooper
ted with the Community Institute
George T. BoWerman represents the
library on the advisory board which
makes no the program. In addition,
he supArvises the creation and distri-
1tion of book-lists suggested by the
various subjects of the course. For In
stance. when derrit A. Beneker spoke
on "Art in Everyday Dixie" books
which he approved were listed and dis
tr!buted through the Public Library
and at tbs performance,
B.s. Artists Cooperate.
There are many factors which so
into the creation Of a cultural program
and into Judging L. success when 4he
gate receipts are not the only criterion
according to sSybil Baker director 81
The institute "Not only must the artist
or lecturer b. Of national Importance
brilliant. and have something worth