Soundcheck

Riccardo Muti (POOL/AFP/Getty Images)

Wanted: Arts Leader with Experience - Or Youth?

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Some orchestras, theaters and museums select their leaders with a bias towards elder statesmen. Others find better chemistry with young blood. In the wake of the Chicago Symphony's recent hiring of 66-year-old Riccardo Muti as its next music director, we debate whether veterans or rookies can lead the arts into the future. Also on the show: Live music from Pacha Massive, a Bronx-based duo of Dominican-born writer/producer Nova and Columbian-born bassist Maya.

Poll: How do you get your music fix?: Tell us how you spend your money on songs, albums and concerts in a Soundcheck poll.

Listen to the whole show

In the Arts it's Rookies versus Veterans

If it's too loud, you're too old. That's the old rock ‘n’ roll saying. But many believe veteran experience counts in running arts organizations. Others say fresh blood is needed at a time when the arts need to reach younger audiences. In this week's "Soundcheck Smackdown," Lee Rosenbaum, a veteran cultural journalist who blogs for Artsjournal.com; and Barry Hessenius, author of the study "Involving Youth in Nonprofit Arts Organizations," square off on the topic.

Tell us: Which quality is more important for the leader of an arts organization: youth or experience? Why?

Our blog: John on arts-world vets and rookies.

Study: Involving Youth in Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Lee Rosenbaum's Culturegrrl Blog

Pacha Massive

Bronx-based duo Pacha Massive always navigates the American and Latin worlds. The band is made of a Dominican multi-instrumentalist, Ramon Nova, and a bassist from Washington Heights, Maya Martinez. The editors at Apple's iTunes named them 2007's best new Latin artist and songs from their debut album have been featured both on NBC’s "Las Vegas" and in a Mexican film. They join us with a live performance.

Pacha Massive's MySpace page