Welcome!
Regardless of whether our current economic circumstance is called a recession or depression, we certainly sharpen our pencils more often these days. As we look at our attendance data from last season, The Bruyette Athenaeum Performing Arts Series made good sense to our patrons' budgets with savings on fuel for travel, parking, and tickets. Veteran patron or newcomer, we hope you discover a sense of ownership in our beautiful arts facility and return often for events.
Perhaps a more integral reason for the popularity of The Bruyette Athenaeum experience is revealed by a new research project conducted by the Heinz Foundation. The project identified a change in the nature of current audience participation: "larger opportunities for engagement in arts events, particularly those that encourage an interpretive relationship" have become an important ingredient for patrons.
At The Carol Autorino Center, we care what our audiences think. And we invite you to respond to the event experience. A number of our events now include audience talk-backs or meet-the-artist receptions; some incorporate more structured feedback through questionnaires. Our new student Board of Governors has established an e-mail address for the audience, and regularly reviews your comments and ideas. And yes, we will soon be on Facebook!
Our ninth Bruyette Athenaeum season continues performance traditions for which our audiences return each year: The 5 X 5 Dance Festival, Duquesne Tamburitzans, George Winston, P.V. O'Donnell's St. Patrick's Day Celebration, and our new initiative, The Gospel Festival of New England. The 2009-2010 season is also peppered with many artists new to the Hoffman Auditorium!
Enjoy--and please share your response! Thank you for your support. We look forward to seeing you on campus.
Dr. Robert Smith, Director
