A fresh look at empirically driven outcome measures; from the "moneyball" guys. What do you think of the lessons they take away from the example? Are there others that stand out to you? Billy Beane and Outcomes: What Can Baseball Tell the Nonprofit World About Measures and Measurement?. … [Read more...]
What’s an organization for?
With many folks talking about the need for new business models to make arts organizations more sustainable, The Artful Manager's Andrew Taylor takes the discussion a bit further. What's an organization for? - The Artful Manager. … [Read more...]
Advocating for Arts in the Classroom
Mark Bauerlein has made a truly splendid argument for the real and important intrinsic value of the arts in our education system. Advocating for Arts in the Classroom : Education Next. … [Read more...]
Principles Workbook: Steering Your Board Toward Good Governance and Ethical Practice
This workbook is designed to help organizations assess and strengthen their governance practices. It outlines 33 principles of good governance, providing an overview of each principle, key questions to guide discussions, the legal implications for each principle, and additional resources that might be helpful. There are also worksheets included to help you record and prioritize any follow-up actions that are identified through the use of the workbook. I'm curious to hear from anyone who uses this tool - did you find the conversations with … [Read more...]
What Is the Real Function of an Arts Organization?
In this Urbanophile post, Aaron Renn questions some cities' decisions to fund large arts complexes but not the art taking place inside those walls. Renn gives interesting examples of both cities that are defined by their buildings and those known for their arts. I'm very interested to hear your thoughts on this one. The Urbanophile » Blog Archive » What Is the Real Function of an Arts Organization?. … [Read more...]
Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software
Steven Johnson is an amazing thinker and this book raises intriguing questions for how cultural programming might be designed in the future. Amazon.com: Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software (9780684868769): Steven Johnson: Books. … [Read more...]
Why Bosses Ought to Be More Interested in What is True Than What is New
This is a good read from Bob Sutton's blog (it also appears on FastCompany.com). With the ever-increasing temptation to focus on what's new, it's important to remember that most of our challenges (and their solutions) are not so new. I'm curious what you think. Why Bosses Ought to Be More Interested in What is True Than What is New - Bob Sutton. … [Read more...]
Drucker on Managing Oneself
Worthwhile reading from one of few truly revolutionary thinkers on management. Before you can manage a project, people or an organization you must of course to be able to manage oneself. Refreshingly bracing stuff. Do you recognize anyone? Managing Oneself … [Read more...]
Mapping Business Models
This post introduces an interesting, knowledge-game approach to understanding and developing an organization's strategic direction. It includes a mapping tool and suggestions for how to create a team session which can be focused in any number of ways - "at the very least the game leads to a refined and shared understanding of an organization’s business model. At its best it helps players develop strategic directions for the future by outlining new and/or improved business models for the organization." We've used similar mapping tools for … [Read more...]
If you dislike change, you’re going to dislike irrelevance even more – Shinseki
I flagged this post principally for the title quote. It captures perfectly the choice facing so many arts and cultural organizations today. I like the quote and the post as a reminder of where our efforts need to be focused. Turning Point Network Journal - If you dislike change, you're going to dislike irrelevance even more - Shinseki. … [Read more...]
Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us
A fascinating animated talk by Daniel Pink about the surprising things that do (and don't) motivate people. What have you observed or experienced? How do you motivate your colleagues? Watch "Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us" … [Read more...]
Will the recession mean theatre takes fewer risks?
The Guardian's Theatre Blog has a thought-provoking post, siting a survey of arts and culture professionals that revealed 41% will be programming more "popular" work and 37% will be reducing the amount of "challenging" work that they commission. As an arts leader, how do you balance financial and creative risks? Read Will the recession mean theatre takes fewer risks? | Eleanor Turney | Stage | guardian.co.uk. … [Read more...]
Video: Diane Ragsdale on Surviving the Cultural Change (Version 4.0)
This video is of Diane Ragsdale's keynote "Surviving the Cultural Change (Version 4.0)" at the Arts Alliance Illinois Members' Meeting on June 21, 2010. In this speech she challenges arts organizations to adapt to the cultural changes that have been taking place. Which of Diane's suggestions resonate with you? What are you doing (or going to do) to adapt to the cultural changes taking place? Watch Diane Ragsdale on Surviving the Cultural Change (Version 4.0). … [Read more...]
How Can You Attract New Audiences Without Alienating Your Base?
Nina Simon discusses an oft-asked question for arts organizations in her Museum 2.0 blog. "If the traditional program remains sacred and new visitor experiences can only be additive, parallel programs will come and go with grant funding and the fundamental experience will not shift. At some point you have to make some "or" choices. You can't always do 'and.'" Have you had to make any "or" choices? How did you go about making those choices? Read "Museum 2.0: How Can You Attract New Audiences Without Alienating Your Base?" … [Read more...]
State of the Art – For Those Facebook Left Behind – NYTimes.com
A quick primer from NYTimes technology writer David Pogue on all things social media. Not that you need it, but you may have a *friend* who's not yet tweeting, yelping or deep in foursquare. State of the Art - For Those Facebook Left Behind - NYTimes.com. … [Read more...]