Arts patrons McCain, Pitblado and Johnson on supporting Canadian ballet
‘To endorse the arts involves wanting to support the heart and soul of society’
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It has been a devastating two years for the performing arts sector, with the impact of COVID-19 continuing to wreak havoc on stages globally.
Closer to home, a recent Statistics Canada report shows that revenues from the first year of the pandemic have been driven to their lowest since the agency began collecting performing arts financial data in 2014. Performance cancellations, venue closures and health-safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus during the first year of the pandemic drove revenues to their lowest level since the federal agency began tracking the data in 2014. Compared to 2018, when figures were last published, performing arts revenues dropped from $2.6 billion to $1.8 billion.
Where some theatrical performances have been able to survive or thrive via online shows with strict health guidelines observed between actors, social distancing is impossible for ballet dancers. Additionally, while feature film and Broadway performances might have big-name, international celebrities to attract audiences back into theatres as restrictions ease, ballet is associated with ensemble performances, less dominated by stars to remind people to come back to watch a new season of dance.
Here, four Canadian patrons of the arts – Sandra and Jim Pitblado, Margaret McCain, and Don Johnson – discuss why they are passionate about donating to the performing arts sector, and why they feel a spotlight of generosity should broaden over ballet.
Sandra and Jim Pitblado
Why are you passionate about the arts?
“The arts are a part of life, just as breathing is important to living. The creative person is essential to making society complete. Imagining life without music, dance, theatre, opera, art, and literature is a bleak and empty prospect. All of the arts challenge the world with thoughtfulness and provocation, beauty and stimulation, allowing people to feel and understand emotional depths essential to a full and satisfying life. The world needs the arts more than ever as we face the horrific days of war in Ukraine. The city of Lviv in that country is a treasure of ancient arts and artifacts and we hold the people of that city and their devotion to preserving what they have in our hearts. Deep love for their priceless heritage is compelling.”
Why is donating to the ballet important to you?
“The ballet is an art form that is demanding and gorgeous. Watching incredible bodies respond to beautiful music in fabulous patterns, telling heart stirring stories, allowing the audience’s imagination all the scope it can use to go on the journey with the dancers is magical. It actually is the definition of breathtaking. It is automatic, then, for us to support such an extraordinary experience.”
What would you say to a friend or colleague who was hesitant or uncertain about becoming a patron of the arts?
“To endorse the arts involves wanting to support the heart and soul of society. If one were hesitant because of means, that can quickly be dispelled, because all one has to give is time and energy if that is what one has. Volunteers are the life blood of every arts organization – choose something you like and jump into the deep end and start swimming. You’ll find that the water is fine and you very much like the rewards of satisfaction and involvement.”
Margaret McCain
Why are you passionate about the arts?
“The arts have always been a large part of my life. My mother created this culture in my home throughout my life. Even though we lived in rural Nova Scotia, she took full advantage of all opportunities to expose us to the classics. I studied piano from [the] age of six through all my university years. Only the classics were allowed in my home. The one and only pop song I was allowed to buy was Vaughn Monroe singing. We attended every performance by any arts group that came our way, from ballet to chamber ensembles, choirs, opera, symphonies, to art exhibits. We went to all community concert series. In our small town one concert was especially memorable – it was Mario Lanza and George London who both went on to world-wide fame. I was in my second year at Mount Allison University when The National Ballet of Canada came to perform. It was early days for them, but I saw some who became their great dancers. The arts were as important to our life and education as math, history, literature, and religion.”
Why is donating to the ballet important to you?
“The Ballet has become my first love in the arts. I find it deeply moving the way they are able to use the human body to tell the story and convey the emotions of the piece to the audience. It is unique and inspiring. Also, ballet dancers are deeply passionate about their art and do it despite the great toll on their bodies. It is never for the hope of receiving great acclaim and riches, and this art form does not have divas.”
What would you say to a friend or colleague who was hesitant or uncertain about becoming a patron of the arts?
“The arts need funding like everything else in our world, and because it is never available in abundance, arts organizations are the most cost efficient and innovative in squeezing the most out of every dollar. Never a penny is wasted. Let us not forget that the arts are the expression of our souls. Funding them is to feed our own souls.”
Don Johnson
Why are you passionate about the arts?
“It started with my wife Anna’s deep commitment to the arts and particularly ballet. Over the decades, I have met extraordinary individuals who have been involved with the arts as volunteers, including Hal Jackman, Jim Pitblado, Robert Foster, Peter Herrndorf, and many others. And I have been inspired by artists themselves, including Karen Kain, whom I consider to be Canada’s greatest ballerina. The commitment, dedication and discipline of artists are qualities I greatly admire. The arts enrich our lives in so many ways.”
Why is donating to the ballet important to you?
“My work with The National Ballet of Canada has brought me immense pleasure. My wife, Anna, was the founder and artistic director of the Interplay school of dance, and because of her, I was invited to join the ballet company’s board in 1995. I chaired the Company’s Bold Steps Campaign to build a new home for the company on Queens Quay, now called the Walter Carsen Centre for The National Ballet of Canada. That campaign also became the catalyst for our advocacy campaign on untradeable donations. After more than a decade of lobbying, the capital gains tax on donations of publicly listed securities to registered charities was eliminated in 2006. Since then, charities have received gifts of stocks of over $1 billion virtually every year. This has benefitted all charities across the country, not only the National Ballet. My motto has always been ‘persistence prevails when all else fails.’”
“Anna and I also sponsor a principal dancer Svetlana Lunkina, and it has been very satisfying to watch her grow as an artist. Because Anna made her career as both a ballet dancer and a teacher, I created the Anna McCowan Johnson dance accessibility fund in her honour. This provides opportunities for young people to have access to programs and performances. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to make these contributions.”
What would you say to a friend or colleague who was hesitant or uncertain about becoming a patron of the arts?
“There are many entry points to becoming involved in the arts. One avenue is volunteering on a board, which can be a deeply rewarding experience. The friendship, kindness and gratitude I have received by giving to the arts has greatly enriched my life”
Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.