Holden & Arts Associates is a booking and management company serving performing artists and performing arts presenters. Founded in 1983 by Michael and Theresa Holden, HAA’s clients and projects are national and international in scope. Each booking year, performances for a select group of theater, dance, and musical artists are arranged through our office. These artists range from some of the largest touring dance and theater companies to mid-sized musical attractions to solo performers. Their work represents a breadth of cultural experience and aesthetic approach. HAA’s roster offers a special emphasis on programs for youth and families.

Our artistic partners are among the leaders in touring theater, music and dance. Each creates work with a unique and authentic voice developed from distinct experience, radiant technique, and a passionate sense of place and purpose.

Our presenting partners are among the leaders in the field and in their communities. Many undertake projects that explore the power of diverse audiences and educational programming for both young and adult participants.

Through the exceptional staff work of Stacy Meshbane and Sarah Saltwick, we seek and support artistic and presenting partners for innovative and artistically excellent projects. We believe these projects illuminate a meaningful and challenging perspective and celebrate the best of the performing arts.

As it turns out, the wizards of commerce, who advised the arts world to adopt their business models, could learn a little from artists and arts administrators about keeping organizations focused and afloat. Arts organizations, from the largest institutions to mid-sized companies to soloists, live on the edge. Each continually deals with stretched resources and risk management.

Perennially, dedicated arts workers create excellence and fulfill their missions in the face of enormous obstacles. Each day they face uncertain funding, short workshop and rehearsal time, and of course, substandard pay. Simply put, for those who devote their energy to making art: Hard times have been and still are, all the time.

That is not to say that the larger economy doesn’t affect the creation of art. Of course it does. Reduced budgets, lay-offs and uncertainty face all of us. What the arts world has to offer the wider world is an example of how creativity, dedication to a goal, cooperation, and applied skill can achieve a shared purpose. Why all of this sacrifice and effort? The answer is: because the result is truly important. What you do as an arts professional is important. It is important to you and important to those you serve: Too important to let go because of “Hard Times.”

So like you, each day we will adapt to change and we will address the obstacles that confront us. We will continue to be inspired by the artists and arts colleagues who accompany us on this journey. And we will do what we can to engage and delight the communities where we live with virtuosity, beauty and meaning-filled experience. Because this work, your work, is vital to us all. Especially now.

–Michael Holden