Top 5: 2014 arts stories in Minnesota

This year was one of rebuilding for many arts organizations — after a recession and lockouts— and of reaching out to new audiences.

1. The Minnesota Orchestra lockout settlement

One of the most significant arts stories came early in the year with the Minnesota Orchestra lockout settlement on Jan. 14. The deal was regarded by many as an end to a very dark period in the orchestra's history, and there was justified celebration that, after 16 months of blistering animosity between the musicians and management, there was a chance to move forward.

However, as the first anniversary of the settlement approaches, it is clear the hard work of rebuilding is just beginning, and will continue for some time. Most of the musicians returned and have taken significant wage cuts, but they also have emerged as the moral victors in the eyes of many audience members.

There was extensive turnover in management, including the departure of president Michael Henson and general manager Bob Neu, as well as board chair Jon Campbell and former board chair Richard Davis. After resigning in frustration a year into the lockout, music director Osmo Vanska returned to great applause. However, his contract is set to last only two years.

The orchestra reported a $650,000 deficit at its annual meeting, which was not as bad as expected, but still a concern. It has a new president and CEO in Kevin Smith, and appears to be riding a wave of goodwill.

Still, the organization faces the challenges before many classical music organizations: attracting new audiences and maintaining the philanthropic support upon which they increasingly depend. Looking back now, the settlement no longer seems like an end, but a waypoint on a very long and challenging journey.

2. Arts finances: Mostly in the black with spots of red

After a couple of turbulent years in the arts finance world there was a string of good news, and a little bit of bad. The Knight Foundation pledged $8 million to support arts projects in St Paul. Give to the Max Day set a new record for giving. The Guthrie staged its highest-grossing show ever with a summer production of "My Fair Lady."

Recovering from near-death experiences, the Southern Theater in Minneapolis emerged with a brave new business model as a home for a slew of small theater and dance companies, and Penumbra Theatre continued to build on the foundation of its new sustainable business model.

After two years of wrestling with the Minnesota Department of Revenue, rocker Venus de Mars won the argument that she is a professional artist — not a hobbyist — and so didn't have to pay $3,535 in back taxes.

Meanwhile, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre fell victim to a re-evaluation of its south Minneapolis building, which led to a very large hole in its budget, and a furlough for staff members.

3. Race in the spotlight

Issues of race were again prominent in the local arts scene. Several of the Twin Cities' ethnic theaters formed a coalition to raise awareness and offer advice to companies presenting productions depicting characters of color.

Members of the coalition were pleased by the Ordway Center's pledge to present no more productions of "Miss Saigon," a show which has repeatedly drawn the ire of the Asian-American community for what it sees as stereotyping Asians.

Mu Performing Arts broke new ground by touring David Henry Hwang's play "F.O.B." — a story of the Chinese immigrant experience — to Chinese restaurants in towns outside the Twin Cities. For the price of a ticket, patrons got to visit the buffet, see the play, and participate in a post-production discussion. Mu also tried to include details about the history of the families running the restaurants hosting the show.

The Somali community in Minneapolis also hosted a special reading for author Elizabeth Strout, to commend her for her depiction of Somalis in "The Burgess Boys." And the University of Minnesota provided filming locations for the satirical comedy "Dear White People."

4. Remembering those who passed

There were some significant losses in the arts community this year. Jazz broadcasting legend Leigh Kamman died, silencing a voice which for more than half a century gently guided listeners to the very best in jazz, and also conversed with many of the music's great performers including Duke Ellington.

Just a day later came word that composer Stephen Paulus had also died. A prolific writer of music who created more than 400 pieces in many different genres, Paulus was also a founder of the American Composers Forum, which is now the largest organization in the world supporting composers.

Poets from all over the world converged on Minneapolis in October to celebrate the centennial of John Berryman's birth. Berryman, whose troubled life ended in 1972 when he jumped off the Washington Avenue Bridge at the University of Minnesota, is now receiving greater recognition for being one of the great poets of the 20th century.

5. The SPCO breaks new ground

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra hired three new artistic partners: pianist Jeremy Denk, violinist Patrica Kopatchinskaja, and clarinetist Martin Frost, each hailed as major talents on the world stage. The SPCO's Liquid Music program breaks new ground with its new music collaborations.

It's paying off. Even as orchestras nationwide experienced a decline in ticket sales of more than 20 percent in the last decade, the SPCO audience has increased by more than 40 percent.