A challenge In Pittsburgh

Facing economic woes like a lot of other arts institutions, musicians at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra have come up with a self-sacrificing plan that they hope will prove inspirational. They are offering a $100,000 challenge grant to stimulate public donations to the orchestra.

For every dollar collected, the musicians will match it with a dollar of their own, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. “Some people see their subscription as their contribution to the orchestra. But ticket sales account for less than 50% of our budget,” said cellist Hampton Mallory.