Arts administrators worry. We worry about cash flow. We worry about achieving and sustaining consensus. We worry about attracting and retaining quality staff team. We worry about logistics. We worry about outstanding grant applications and whether last year's donors will continue their support this year. We worry about deadlines and opening nights. We worry about why ticket sales are underperforming budget expectations. We worry about … [Read more...]
A Small Detail, A Big Idea & Why You Should Care
Let's marvel at a small detail that reveals a big idea... Here's the opening sentence of a just-received press release from the City of Mesa (AZ)... Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc. (NYSE: SC, “Santander Consumer USA”), a consumer finance company focused on vehicle finance, third-party servicing and delivering superior service to more than 2.5 million customers across the full credit spectrum, announced it will expand its operations to … [Read more...]
The 4 Types of Audiences
You want to attract, grow, diversify and sustain your audience? Great! But the biggest mistake you can make is to think of that audience as a single entity. True, "your audience" converged at some point - whether for a particular night's performance, during the run of a production or exhibition, into your venue, or some other way onto your mailing list. But the happenstance of their intersection doesn't mean they share the same motivations, … [Read more...]
What is Audience Engagement? (Part 3)
This is SUCH a great thought-provoking conversation, I'm thrilled for it to continue… Again, delighted (and grateful) to share the wisdom of respected friends and colleagues on the question: What is the meaning of the word “engagement”? And how does an arts organization know if it is succeeding? ————- Bob Booker – Executive Director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts When two people make a statement of love, support, and promise to … [Read more...]
What is Audience Engagement? (Part 2)
It’s commonplace to talk about the need for “audience engagement” – but what does the term actually mean? Let's pick up from yesterday's discussion... Here again, I’m delighted (and grateful) to offer the insights of respected friends and colleagues on this question: What is the meaning of the word “engagement”? And how does an arts organization know if it is succeeding? ————- Doug McLennan - Founder & Editor of … [Read more...]
What is Audience Engagement? (Part 1)
It's commonplace to talk about the need for "audience engagement" - but what does the term actually mean? And how does an arts/cultural organization know if its succeeding? Perhaps it's an intentionally amorphous concept - akin to Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart's famous characterization of the nature of pornography: “I know it when I see it.” Or perhaps it's best considered an aspirational notion - sacred words etched into mission … [Read more...]
The Immorality of a Broken Business Model
I no longer eat beef. It was a decision inspired by listening to Meat Week on NPR's Morning Edition in the summer of 2012. I imagine that the series was intended to whet the nation's appetite for summer grilling season, yet somehow I emerged from the experience with the precise opposite result. As the entire process of producing beef was illuminated, I concluded that I no longer wished to be a consumer of that product. So, you'll understand … [Read more...]
In Favor of Genetically Modified Organizations
I prefer my vegetables in their 100% organic state. I don't feel the same way about non-profit arts & cultural organizations. There is nothing sacred about the business model and (dare I say it?) the artistic mission of any arts and cultural organization. That doesn't mean that an organization shouldn't stand for anything. Nor would I argue that it's healthy for an organization's business model or artistic mission to fluctuate all … [Read more...]
The Great Hibernation is Over
Economists appear to have concluded that the "Great Recession" that began in December, 2007 officially ended in June, 2009. So, what shall we in the arts & cultural sector call the pro-longed period of hunkered-down existence that we've endured ever since? For more than six years, we've persevered in the face of withered philanthropy, slashed public funding, preempted corporate sponsorship and the contraction of consumer spending. We - our … [Read more...]
A Budget for “NOT MORE OF THE SAME”
In springtime, a nonprofit's thoughts turn to thoughts of... BUDGET. In many organizations, the annual budget is an exercise of simply replacing the names of THIS year's performances, events or exhibitions with those of NEXT year. Sure, we'll lower revenue expectations for similar events that under-performed this season - and we'll raise projections for events that we hope will perform better next year. And everybody agrees to hold the … [Read more...]