As the clock ticks down on 2008's roller coaster of economic turmoil and time runs out for charitable giving this year, non-profits are under pressures they weren't feeling a year ago and communities are struggling to support art programs during the downturn. States and cities are dealing with budget shortfalls; corporations are trimming donations; and individual donors have less to give.

Some major institutions have just about hit rock-bottom: LA MOCA nearly imploded and the Baltimore Opera Company filed for Chapter 11. But not all cases are so dire.

"Nobody I spoke with was panicked," said Sue Hoye, a freelance contributor to the Chronicle of Philanthropy who has written a report on the financial consequences for arts and culture non-profits. "They were just trying to be very cautious, and very realistic about what they could or couldn't do."