"Sometimes, We Want Prices to Fool Us" is the title of today's New York Times article that notes that "...most shoppers, coupon collectors or not, want the thrill of getting a great deal, even if it’s an illusion." You want proof? The article reports that J.C. Penney suffered a whopping 25 percent drop in sales over the last year due to its decision to stop promoting sales and offering coupons and instead focus entirely on offering “everyday” … [Read more...]
A New Dimension for Engagement: “Fan-Funding”
With gratitude, I share this interview with Brian Camelio, the founder of ArtistShare - a pioneering "fan-funding platform for artists" to which I was introduced just a few weeks ago. I contacted Brian through his website's general information e-mail and asked if he'd be willing to share his experience & insights. I am profoundly grateful for his willingness to do so. In addition to reading this interview, I encourage you to thoroughly … [Read more...]
Kerry Lengel: A Critic’s Take on Arts & Entrepreneurship
Kerry Lengel is the Arizona Republic's theatre critic. His articles are most readily found HERE: Recently, I invited Kerry to address the Seminar on Arts Entrepreneurship that I am teaching at Arizona State University this semester. In preparation for that class, we got together for a lengthy (and lively) discussion about the nature of arts & entrepreneurship. The discussion was so fascinating and insightful that I asked Kerry to … [Read more...]
The Most Important Theatre Company
In the Greater Phoenix region, Actors Theatre isn't the oldest, largest or even most popular professional theatre company. It's just the most important. And this morning, Actors Theatre announced: "...the Board of Directors and Management have decided to take a PAUSE to assess and redesign our business model and to consider all options to “take control of our future.”... We are not closing. We are stepping back because we need to change … [Read more...]
Defining Our 3 Most Important Questions
Visiting with a colleague recently, we got to talking about what would be the THREE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS that a mid-career professional in ANY sort of arts or cultural organizations should be asking. We further imagined that the process of ANSWERING such questions might serve as some sort of rite of passage for early/mid-career professionals - with the organizations that employ them expecting, supporting and respecting a staff member's … [Read more...]
Flag on the Play: Unnecessary Arrogance
I'm calling a flag on the play. This is the NFL signal for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. Normally, I'd be among the first to say, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." I've spent the last 18 years as a champion of Arizona's offerings of theatre, music, dance, art, festivals, culinary, science/technology and cultural attractions. I continue to be a vigorous organizer of collaborative audience development efforts … [Read more...]
What I Believe: 2013
New Years Day is an excellent time to reflect on the beliefs we choose to carry forward into the new year - the pillars upon which our future efforts will be based. Here are my TOP FIVE. I welcome discussion - and would love to hear yours, too! --- An empty seat never recommended anything to anybody. Arts & culture is a business driven by word of mouth. Every empty seat (or whatever that looks like for your type of … [Read more...]
Prediction for 2013: “Value Proposition”
In today's edition of You've Cott Mail, Thomas Cott invites predictions for the arts for 2013. I am very grateful for his question because it compelled me to sit down and articulate a concern that's been gnawing at me for quite some time. Here is my prediction for 2013: This year, the term “Value Proposition” will replace “Sustainability” as the focus of public policy, philanthropic and audience development efforts for the arts & … [Read more...]