The Minnesota Orchestra.

In Wednesday’s (1/29) Minnesota Star Tribune, Jenna Ross writes, “The Minnesota Orchestra has posted an operating loss of $3.8 million on expenses of $42.6 million—the fifth deficit the state’s largest performing arts nonprofit has seen in the past six years. That loss in fiscal year 2024 … reflects the evaporation of federal pandemic-era assistance, such as the Paycheck Protection Program, which has buoyed the orchestra. In fiscal year 2023, with $4.5 million in forgiven PPP loans, the nonprofit posted a surplus of $1.1 million on a similarly sized budget of $42.4 million…. The nonprofit touted some gains: Earned revenue, from sources including ticket sales, reached $11.6 million in 2024, a record and a 22% increase over the previous year. Ticket sales are up again this season, interim president and CEO Brent Assink said … In fiscal year 2024, contributions … came in at $25.8 million, compared with $32.6 million the year before, a difference the orchestra attributed to the loss of federal Paycheck Protection Program funding…. Orchestra Hall was filled to 75% paid capacity and 83% total capacity, up from the previous season…. ‘None of us like to see a deficit…’ said violinist Emily Switzer, chair of the Minnesota Orchestra Members Committee said. ‘But it’s shrinking.’ ”