When the economy is at low tide and people no longer have much disposable income at their disposal, what happens to the groups that rely on those dollars?

Pueblo's performing arts entities aren't immune to the meltdown. Like many other businesses, they've had to cut back on some things, revise budgets and get creative with ways to attract donors and audiences. That's standard operating procedure for nonprofit organizations like these, of course, but the recession has caused even more scrimping.

"Of course (the economy) affects us," said June King, executive director of the Pueblo Symphony. "The arts take that hit because a lot of people look at us as fluff. It's not that we don't have supporters, but we see the trend: Supporters that normally give $5,000 are giving $1,000, and so on."

Most arts groups rely on donations and grants from individuals and businesses. With so much of that funding tied to the stock market  -  well, it's not a great time to be asking for money. "It's not that people have forgotten arts and entertainment," said Cathy Spangler, spokesperson for the Damon Runyon Repertory. "Smaller firms have funds invested in the market. They'll say, ‘Contact us next year.’Ê”

Sean Briggs, CEO of the Runyon Rep, said it's not just money that has dwindled. Participation has tapered off, too.

"Volunteering and involvement in general has gone down over the last year," he said. "Getting people to commit to doing anything (in a play) has gotten harder. Everybody is working so hard to make ends meet, that's all they can do."

Planning ahead

Because most groups have their funding in place at least a year in advance, the true impact of the recession probably won't be felt until the 2009-10 performing seasons.

The Pueblo Performing Arts Guild was formed to promote the performing arts as part of the city's economic development. Its members include arts groups as well as businesses that support the arts.

"We're still to see the effects of what kind of funding we're going to get," said Susan Fries, executive director of PPAG.

Anticipating a funding drop-off, King said the symphony is planning six concerts for next season, down from eight this season. The group's family concerts  -  shows that are kid-friendly introductions to classical music and cost just $10, compared to the normal $30-$35 price  -  may become an economic casualty.

"We're looking at putting our family concerts on hold unless we come up with dollars to support them, which is unfortunate," said King. "That's where we take the biggest hit because all of those tickets are $10, even though our expenses are the same as for the other concerts." There's the rub: Even as arts organizations and, seemingly, the rest of the world, pull back on spending and try to find new revenue sources, costs keep going up. Purchasing rights to a play, booking a touring Broadway production  -  it's all more expensive.

"The thing that doesn't grow is the size of our theater  -  it's still 500 seats," said Dawn DiPrince, associate director of the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center.

The arts center made one concession to the increasing costs and last year increased ticket prices for its Center Stage Series by $5. That hasn't affected sales, said DiPrince; this season's first performance, by the Soweto Gospel Choir, sold out and she expects the other scheduled shows to do well, too.

Banding together

Despite the difficulties, there's a sense of all for one, one for all among the arts community and those who support it.

"I think people understand that we're all hurting; we're all in sort of the same boat," said King. "We all have to hunker down."

"We have such a strong local funding base and I think when times are tough people step up to the plate and realize these are our treasures and we need to support them," DiPrince said. "That's something you might not find in other communities."

Fries said if a business has to lower or eliminate its contribution due to economics, PPAG considers it important to continue supporting that business. PPAG also is holding a get-together later this month to allow artists to meet with businesses.

"We need to be there for them, too," she said. "Members have decided it's important for them to be able to network. It's going to be a great way to keep momentum going, I think."

As everyone tries to ride out the tumultuous wave, organizations are finding ways to cope.

"We're not flamboyant with our money. We really try to watch our pennies  -  save on bulk mailings, etc. It's all those little things that will help us get through," said King.

To keep its exhibits affordable, the arts center won't raise admission prices to its galleries or the Buell Children's Museum, DiPrince said.

Andrea Garrett, co-director of the Steel City Theatre Company, said the economy has actually led to some positive things for SCTC.

"We started to realize with the situation in Pueblo, discounts rule," said Garrett. "When we have done $5 tickets, we sell out. People who might not normally come to theater (shows) are coming, so we're reaching a whole new base. People want entertainment, they want something to do, so they are willing to spend the money if it's affordable."

The $5 ticket now will be the norm for the group's productions, even though that means finding another way to make up the difference. SCTC has decided to focus on its weekly theater classes for kids and hopes to attract sponsors for that aspect.

"You can sponsor a kid for $200 a year. It's something tangible you can give someone who would never have a chance to participate, and it's a real inexpensive way to get involved," Garrett said.

Likewise, DiPrince said the arts center urges people to become members  -  it's a cost-conscious way to support the arts and members get discounts for special events and free admission to the daily exhibits.

While the recession is, on the surface, a negative for the performing arts world, entertainment may be the one thing that's holding its value these days: We look to things like plays and concerts to remove us from reality for a while.

"There are two schools of thought," said DiPrince. "One is that people don't have money for the luxuries so they're not spending it on art. Then there are others who realize art isn't really a luxury.

"Sometimes when times are tough, the arts are really a great way to soothe the soul."