The opening of several major arts institutions in the last few years has changed that.
"One of the things I tried to change in the budget is that the arts institutions are good for business," he said.
Arts institutions may have not yet seen the worst of it.
In any case, most public money goes to arts institutions, not to artists directly.
Under his leadership the museum developed into one of the leading art institutions in the country.
Yet in the nine months since, those arts institutions have been under pressure to prove themselves all over again.
And, to an even larger degree, the task has been taken on by arts institutions.
Arts institutions are usually known to the public by the personality of their staff leadership.
The university is associated with several arts institutions in the wider community.
The appointment comes at a time of stress for the city's arts institutions.