I have recently found myself concerned with issues related to measuring community engagement, particularly its benefits to arts organizations. (Two-Phase Engagement; Reach and Frequency) There is a tendency among some to know that community engagement is a good thing and, therefore, to resist attempts to measure it's impact. If I'm honest, I may sometimes find myself in that group. There are others who assume that community engagement is at best … [Read more...]
One Wo/Man Band
I am frequently asked whether an arts organization can successfully engage communities with just one person assigned the responsibility for "engaging." One answer, given with considerable trepidation is, "It depends." If it's a small organization, if community engagement is represented/honored in all decision-making processes, if everyone in the organization maintains a commitment to engagement in all of their work, then "Maybe." If not, the … [Read more...]
Evaluating Engagement: Outcomes
Evaluation of any kind is a challenge for nonprofit organizations generally and for nonprofit arts organizations in particular. Resource constraints and focus on mission, sometimes at the expense of critical management issues, make evaluation a frequent afterthought if considered at all. Evaluating community engagement is particularly difficult because it is in its infancy as a practice for arts organizations. As such, it is no surprise that … [Read more...]
What You Can Leave Out
In April I attended the Charlotte Jazz Festival (a new festival with a considerable amount of promise). On the first evening I heard an ensemble performance in which the pianist doubled on harmonica. In a particularly lively number he would frequently have to move back and forth between the two instruments. On one occasion he had considerable difficulty getting the harmonica out of his hand so he could attend, with both hands, to the demands of … [Read more...]
The Ethics of Engagement
Last week I had the privilege of participating in a conference presentation at TCG’s (Theatre Communications Group) Audience (R)Evolution Convening addressing the Ethics of Engagement. I was one member of a panel of four including Martha Lavey, Artistic Director, Steppenwolf Theatre Company; Seema Sueko, Associate Artistic Director, Pasadena Playhouse; and Shay Wafer, Executive Director, 651 Arts. Facilitator Michael Rohd, Founding Artistic … [Read more...]
The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
I have been waiting for some time to write about this fascinating blog post by Greg McKeown from the Harvard Business Review: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. It is in the tradition of Jim Collins' Good to Great. Indeed, Mr. McKeown's graphic looks a lot like Collins' Hedgehog Concept graphic. He suggests we identify our core passion, that at which we are best (talent)–not merely good but best, and that which is most needed in the world. What we … [Read more...]