The following letter was sent to Jim Nobles, Office of the Legislative Auditor from 100 members of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

The Minnesota Orchestra is a world class performing arts organization. It adds immeasurably to the quality of life in Minnesota through its performances both at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis and in school and communities across the state.

The State of Minnesota invested significantly in a fact and future of the orchestra as a world class entity. It places Minnesota on the map nationally and internationally and adds to our region and state’s economic competitiveness. In recognition of that status, the State of Minnesota invested $16 million in public monies though bonding dollars to assist in the remolding of the lobby of Orchestra Hall and provides operating funding through ongoing Legacy dollars. We now find the return on those investments threatened by the lockout of the musicians and the logjam that the orchestra management and musicians’ representatives currently find themselves in.

News reports and review of the Orchestra President Michael Henson’s 2010 legislative testimony raise questions about the Orchestra’s financial situation with the public and legislators when requesting and receiving $14 million in bonding for a new lobby on Orchestra Hall. After the House Legacy hearing of February 18, 2013, there remains concerns about the public’s investments in the state’s largest arts organization.

The request and subsequent granting of Legacy funding for the 2012-2013 biennium was contingent and assuming that there would be an Orchestral season, since the current season has not begun and is cancelled through the beginning of April, gives us pause and concerns about the state’s investment. A portion of the State Arts Board of funding is to probide educational and community concerts throughout Minnesota. We understand that the lockout has denied youth from across Minnesota exposure to the Orchestra, as well as cancellations of concerts or events in the following communities: Bemidji, Osseo, Chanhassen, Forest Lake, St. Cloud/St. Joseph, and Winona.

It is in the State of Minnesota’s interest that this lockout be resolved in the quickest possible manner. Resolution of the lockout, the securing of a new contract between management and performers will allow the Minnesota ORchestra to return to its core mission of performing and educating across the region. A quick resolution will act to assure the preservation of the current corps of Grammy-nominated musicians, as assure a return on the public’s investment in this important cultural institution, its capital needs and operating budget.

Therefore, in representation of the state’s interests and assurance of the value of and return on its investments we the undersigned members of the Minnesota legislature request that the Legislative Auditor audit the books of the Minnesota Orchestra Association, including a review of its feasibility study for the remodeling of Orchestra Hall, a review of  the use of all public funds, and of testimony of Orchestra principals before legislative committees for and about securing of those funds.

Link to letter with signatures of the Minnesota House of Representatives