State to Citi Performing Arts Center: Get It Together. No, Really.

The state Cultural Facilities Fund was generous this year, giving $16.7 million to various arts-related groups. The Citi Performing Arts Center was not one of them, largely because they seem to have their priorities mixed up when it comes to handling their funds.

The Citi Performing Arts Center was going to get $600,000, but that amount has been, in the words of the Globe, "tabled."

The Citi Performing Arts Center had tried to improve its public relations back in August. They are trying to defend themselves for cutting back this year's free Shakespeare in the Park and giving president and chief executive of the center, Josiah Spaulding Jr., a ridiculously high bonus.

Apparently the board of the Performing Arts Center felt that Spaulding was worth $1.2 million. Spaulding's wife also landed a position as a "website manager," and we'd like to know if she knows anything about code. Attorney General Martha Coakley would like to know what's up with Spaulding's bonus, too.

All the high salaries and PR repair cost money. Since the state won't be helping out, brace yourself for more cutbacks from the Center as they figure out their mission. Republic of Dogs called this a long time ago when Citibank got involved with the Wang: "I said to someone when I learned that Citibank would be taking the reigns of the Wang Center in Boston was, 'Goodbye to the underserved children’s programs and affordable performance tickets.'"

Wang stage image by Abbyladybug.