By Howard Pousner

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Here's one positive development from the current economic crunch: Seven Atlanta arts organizations and attractions that have competed over the years for ticket sales are now collaborating, and the result is a good deal for families.

Art a la Carte is a just-launched build-your-own subscription series where parents can get discounts of 20 percent to 25 percent to the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Center for Puppetry Arts by purchasing tickets to three or more of them. When customers place orders for this arts sampler, they also receive bonus coupons to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, High Museum of Art and Zoo Atlanta enclosed in the envelope with their tickets.

The program came together after Atlanta Ballet interim executive director Virginia Hepner approached Woodruff Arts Center vice president Virginia Vann to brainstorm how metro arts groups and attractions could work together to maximize their marketing. "It has been an interesting journey of organizations who have thought of each other as competitors for the family dollar moving to the understanding that we all benefit from the exposure and education of marketing together," Vann said.

The Woodruff, parent organization to the Alliance, ASO and High Museum, is handling ticket sales. They can be purchased online at www.artalacarteatlanta.org or by calling the Woodruff box office, 404-733-5000.

Atlanta holiday standards such as the Alliance's "A Christmas Carol" and Atlanta Ballet's "Nutcracker" are included in the offerings, though the latter is limited to five dates.

Depending on how sales go, Vann said Art a la Carte could be expanded to include more performances and institutions, and could stretch beyond the family focus.