If there is a bright lining to the economic cloud that threatens all of us at the moment, it is that a feeling of true collective spirit amongst arts organizations and arts leaders has developed. All of us are in this mess together, and all of us are living with deep fears and insecurities over the future of our organizations and, indeed, our industry.

This spirit of unity is all the more amazing in that we are now competing more directly for audience members and donors. As the pool of money for tickets, contributions and memberships gets smaller, we are being placed in more direct competition with each other and with other not-for-profit organizations.

How refreshing it is, therefore, to find such a high level of camaraderie and support from our peers. I have yet to find another arts manager who does not sympathize with the plights of struggling organizations. And while we all have a tendency to focus on our own challenges at moments like this, there is an unusual outpouring of interest and support for the most troubled of our peer organizations.

This is a measure of how serious and unpredictable a predicament we find ourselves in. It is also, however, a true testament to the nature of not-for-profit arts organizations and to our fidelity to our missions. We truly do want to see audiences everywhere provided with the best art and arts education.

While we might have time for schadenfreude when things are going well, we simply don’t have the energy to enjoy the suffering of others when we, ourselves are challenged. I think we all fear that ours is the next organization to suffer massive hemorrhaging.

Our industry is getting smaller. Each day brings news of another important organization that is either in deep distress or is closing its doors, temporarily or permanently.

When this calamity is over, let’s hope we can maintain the spirit of community that is developing in this difficult time.