Best-run Arts Organization

Austin Lyric Opera

With an attendance of 27,000, Austin Lyric Opera must be doing something right. Actually, ALO does a lot of things right. This professional arts company headed by director Joe McClain maintains a crack staff, stages traditional operas with incredible production values, and sells them with style. (Their "Brady Bunch" season campaign and "One Mad Clown" ads for Rigoletto were award winners.) And they do it all while staying debt-free. Next year will be their hottest yet: The number-one arts event in Central Texas will be ALO's high-tech Tannhauser.

Austin Lyric Opera
901 Barton Springs Rd., 512/472-5927
www.austinlyricopera.org