Slide ahead several days to Thursday’s rehearsal for the Cincinnati Symphony. An announcement was made of the gift of $85 million dollars from devoted arts patron, Louise Nippert, to support and sustain three of Cincinnati ’s largest arts organizations for years to come: the Cincinnati Symphony, Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Ballet. This amazing bequest to future generations of Cincinnatians is a testament to the esteem in which the arts are held in our community and a tribute to the quality that is currently being presented on these stages.

The question remains, however: Why is it necessary for an individual to come forth in this manner to prop up such treasured institutions? All of these organizations are operating at an unprecedented level of excellence and are among the best in the country. Where are we failing as a society that there aren’t enough people who understand, appreciate and frequent world-class performing arts? Is the art being presented irrelevant to modern life? This is a question that must always be present. Or have we simply left audiences in the dust by de-valuing arts education to the point where fewer and fewer are literate enough in the “language” of the arts to appreciate their power and nuance.

While there is no question as to whether this gift from Ms. Nippert is a god-send to the designated organizations, now it’s up these beneficiaries, and all of us, to push for arts education that will continue to breed future audiences. Hopefully, the recipient organizations will recognize this need and continue to dedicate their efforts, not only to put people in the seats, but to make sure attendees can recognize the value of what they see and hear. The arts may not be able to heal the sick or feed the poor in a direct way, but they do provide a better chance of creating a literate, caring, civilized society by giving meaning, purpose and depth to the lives of individuals.

Also, there is nothing in this bequest to encourage the creation or presentation of new music, opera and dance. Without the ongoing vitality of these art forms, there will be less and less to attract future generations to stand in line, outside, in the cold, at Music Hall or anywhere else. There must be a commitment to growing the repertoire in a way that is meaningful and compelling to these future generations.

Lest it be thought that this money is not fully appreciated, let me say that this is one of the single greatest contributions to the artistic life of our fair city. Thank you, Ms. Nippert for understanding the value of the arts to our collective and individual quality of life. Thank you. Thank you. However, since this money is already allocated, I thought it might be interesting to present a wish list for the future…

• Restore arts education to its rightful place as a primary pillar for a civilized society
• Make arts performances more affordable to remove cost as a potential barrier. Not free, just more inline with other entertainment options
• Build a new, somewhat smaller performance venue to provide more flexibility and options in programming for a variety of organizations, not just the three designees
• Invest in the surrounding Washington Park neighborhood to bring in restaurants, nightclubs and other social gathering places and make it, appropriately, the artistic core of the city.

Let’s all become arts benefactors in our own way so that we are less dependent on the generosity of a few in the years to come.