Possible funding changes to come to Fort Wayne Philharmonic

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Fort Wayne Philharmonic board members met Tuesday, and laid out a strategic plan.

Board Members said they are taking proactive steps to prevent serious problems later on, but it's still too early to say exactly what will be affected.

The orchestra's leaders are taking an early initiative to keep from running into potential funding problems. Board members say they have encountered some financial troubles in recent years. However, in a report given to board members Tuesday, a group of outside businessmen took a look at the organizations financial history over the past 15 years. They evaluated what's worked during the orchestra's most lucrative years, and they laid out a plan to re-enforce that in upcoming years.

Currently, the Philharmonic puts on 80 concerts a year and performs in 14 counties in Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio.

"Being a not for profit is never easy, and so I think the Board really took this proactive approach because we want to continue serving the community to tackle this before it becomes a crisis," said J.L. Nave, the CEO and president of Fort Wayne Philharmonic.

Nave wouldn't answer questions directly about what changes would take place and which aspects of the organization would be affected. He said the board will need to take a holistic approach at everything that goes into the shows including musicians, lighting, tickets, etc. However, Nave said none of the changes would affect the current year. Any changes that would be made wouldn't be implemented until 2013.

"That’s why it’s important that we begin to have the conversations now while we have the luxury to have the time to look at the picture as a whole," Nave said.

Opening night for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic is Saturday, September 22nd at the Embassy Theatre at 6 P.M. There will be a reception following the concert at the Freimann Botanical Conservatory. Those tickets are on sale for $20 a person.