How can performing arts to be largely commercialized?

Question

Recently saw a performance by Cirque du Soleil, Cirque is the most lucrative circus business in history

Yet, there are also performing arts that are high is artistic standard, but are often in dim financial status... (such as some modern dance or ballet companies)

How can these performing arts be commercialized??

On the other hand, are these groups willing to be commercialized? Or is this not their greatest pursuit(compared to pursuit of art)?

Answer 1

Everyone has to eat and pay rent or a mortgage, even artists. If you can create art that people are willing to pay for, that is a wonderful thing for everyone involved. The public is charmed and stimulated by the art, and the artist receives the funds s/he needs to live and continue creating art.

Poverty is not a requirement for art and art that is popular is just as meaningful as art that is not popular. In fact, popular art is really more meaningful than unpopular art, because more people are affected by popular art.

Is a group like Cirque du Soleil willing to be commercialized? Yes, absolutely. Someone there puts up a lot of money to hire the dancers, musicians, performers, gymnasts, choreographers, set designers, set builders and so forth, and this financial risk deserves to have a commercial payback. It costs millions of dollars to prepare a Cirque du Soleil show from scratch and the producers deserve to be rewarded if the public likes their show.