ARTSblog

Nina Simon

A lot of conversations I have about audience development with organizational leaders go something like this:

“We want to find ways to make our institution more participatory and lively.”
“Great!”
“We want to cultivate a more diverse audience, especially younger people, and we want to do it authentically.”
“Fabulous!”
“But our traditional audience doesn’t come for that, and we have to find a way to do this without making them uncomfortable.”
“Hm.”

Audience development is not an exercise in concentric circles. You can’t just start with who you already have in the middle and build infinitely outward. In most cases, growth means shifting, and shifting means that some people leave as others come.

This is incredibly scary. It requires trading a certain history for an uncertain future—a nerve-wracking prospect no matter the situation. It’s particularly scary if your institution relies primarily on private donors, members, and gate sales to cover operating costs. When funding is tied to a specific subset of your audience, you get protective of them, even if they are not the people most likely to ensure viability and sustainability in the future.

When I took on the director role at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, we were in a dangerous situation. We had a small cohort of members and donors who loved and supported us. Outside of that, our bench was very thin—no brand recognition, no up-and-coming audience, no big funders with an eye on the future of the organization.

Now, a year later, we’ve more than doubled our attendance, increased membership by 30%, attracted national foundation funders, and gotten great ink locally. Our audience has gotten younger and they come more frequently. Read the rest of this entry »

Did you know that September is National Preparedness Month? It seems like a strange time of the year to promote emergency preparedness, especially for Atlantic Coast dwellers such as myself. This is one of the most active periods of the year for hurricanes, and I would like to think that any individual or organization would already have a plan in place should they encounter such a natural disaster.

Well, I don’t. I haven’t figured out if the structure in which I live in is sturdy enough to withstand a heavy storm, I haven’t mapped out an evacuation route, I haven’t found a location in my neighborhood where I can seek shelter (I’m assuming it’s a local school, but I don’t even know where that is nearby where I live). I don’t have any of my files stored up in a cloud where I could retrieve them should I lose my hard drive. I’m not prepared.

You think I would have learned better. In September 2005, I was living in Houston when Hurricane Rita hit, and that was right after Katrina devastated New Orleans. Luckily, back then I did have a plan. The fourth largest city in the United States was trying to evacuate and jammed all major thoroughfares to the point where folks ran out of gas trying to get out of the area. My roommate and I mapped out a network of side streets that took us all the way out of the city to his father’s place north of the beltway and out of harm’s way.

So, having escaped that hardship unscathed, you would think I always have a preparedness plan in place, no matter where I live. The truth is, always being prepared for a seemingly rare disaster is a hard thing to keep up with. I’m willing to bet that many of us don’t afford the time to back our work up on a second hard drive, or store extra cans of food and water in case of a power outage, or know where our evacuation location is.

I think it is ingenious that South Arts developed an emergency preparedness tool called ArtsReady for arts organizations. The ArtsReady toolkit tells you what you need in place to have a solid emergency plan. They have the ability to store your files in their cloud for you, they give you all of the information of emergency contacts for you and have even developed a network of participating organizations that you can go to for help should you encounter an unfortunate situation. Read the rest of this entry »

Roger Vacovsky

Yesterday at the Americans for the Arts Annual Convention in San Antonio, attendees engaged in a session that asked them to reconsider the classic membership model and theory behind membership and subscription programs.

As we are circling around this concept of “the new normal,” we must begin to look at the fact that the changing culture of our work force has different wants and needs. With regards to membership, this new crop of individuals want the tangible, the direct benefit, and the question that will be asked after (or instead of) “Why should I join?” is, “What am I going to get for my money?”

We also know that “we’re doing it this way because this is how we’ve always done it” is OUT. If you’re membership is declining, it’s time you try something different.

Membership, in many cases, is utilized for financial reasons more so than for purposes of engagement. As membership is a revenue strain (and, as we membership folk proclaim, our job depends on that revenue), it is important to consider the ‘why’ when promoting membership.

Deborah Obalil, who moderated the session asked participants to “be honest with yourself about why you are doing it. Memberships can inspire, or fail to inspire loyalty” without a defined goal in sight.

Obalil then asked attendees to think of their own membership program with regards to what they do to inspire loyalty. The loyalty of a member to an organization consists of the following:

• Belief in the mission
• Tangible benefits: “what are they getting out of it?”
• Recognition/validation “wearing membership as a badge of honor”  Read the rest of this entry »

Roger Vacovsky

Last week, I renewed my membership for my alma mater’s alumni association. I understand now, more than ever, that my participation in the program contributes to not only the future success of my university, but also to my own past experiences.

Since my graduation, I have enjoyed watching the University of Houston (UH) flourish, albeit from afar, receiving periodic email updates regarding the upgrades to the campus. This includes the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, a tremendous effort by the university to combine five arts-based departments into one collaborative arts force. Although I am just one alumnus contributing to my university’s growth, I feel as though I played a part in making these improvements possible.

I was even eager to experience the progress of the Houston Cougar football team in 2011—which I had absolutely no part in during my time in school—as it set records for a fierce offense and toppled another, much more storied (and recently infamous) football program in a bowl appearance this year in Dallas.

There are many good reasons why we become members of our graduating university’s alumni association. As I had mentioned before, we begin giving back to the institution that helped us prepare for a successful career. We want to enhance the experience of the future generation of students so that they can go on to achieve greatness.

Believe it or not, the continued success of your alma mater retroactively increases the worth of your degree. By becoming a member of your alumni association, your membership dues help your university realize the success it consistently fights to achieve. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Readers,

Look over to the right side of this page and check out the tag cloud. (You might have to scroll a little. It’s under the “featured video”.)  Are your favorite topics there?

We want to match the content of our publications with what you need to be successful artists, arts administrators, advocates, and educators. That means tailoring the articles, blog posts, and news stories in our print and electronic communications based on your feedback. What topics do you want to read about more (or less)?

Take our short, six question survey and let us know how we’re doing: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZZWVFBB

You may have missed one of the most amazing speeches from the Americans for the Arts Arts Adovcacy Day memories. Wynton Marsalis gave an inspiring story and message to all of us who work at the grassroots (and grass tops) levels of arts advocacy. Just wait until you read the transcript. If you might not get the transcript of the 22nd Nancy Hanks lecture…. better up your membership level.

This was legendary.

Career 360 sessions today gave me tools to maintain a new commitment to thinking of my career path, family, self, and health. This was a strong reminder of what I already know—but sometimes it takes a convention to snap me off the hamster wheel of day-to-day routine. I already have a career coach. My coach is amazing. She has helped me to discover the power of my own ruby slippers. Combine my coaching sessions with the “Building your Career Brand” session, and I’m good to go for a couple of scheduled Me-Time moments in the park, under a tree, with a piece of paper and a sack of self-help books. (Bruce—I’m your next client!)

Oh, I do love what I do. But I have committed to some changes by next year’s convention. 

OMG! What am I saying? I’ve still got one more exhausting day to go and so much to blog about each of the sessions…. SEATTLE—there’s my chance to get to the city, drink their coffee, walk in gentle rain, and maybe bump into a real grunge musician. But wait…I heard the theme for next year. Sustainability and Renewal. 

you will see a new me next year…..

Get networked in. Americans for the Arts Networks, Peer Groups, and Councils connect members who have like interests. Peer groups are centered on interest and/or profession, such as Rural and Small Communities. Groups meet face to face during the annual convention and communicate year-round through members-only listservs. Formal networks have been created to respond to the needs of:

• Arts Education Network
• Emerging Leaders Network
• Public Art Network
• State Arts Action Network
• United Arts Funds
• United States Urban Arts Federation

Only members of Americans for the Arts can get tapped into these networks. They provide leadership opportunities on their respective councils, professional development through their convention tracks, and best of all, friends through their listservs. Join today to get with the movers and shakers.

Do you have a new program to get up and running but haven’t had the time to start? Or perhaps you just need an extra hand during those busy summer months? Now is the time to begin advertising for a summer intern, because college students are looking right now for a life-changing summer internship to help build their resume before they graduate.

Why post on Americans for the Arts Job Bank? Many qualified students want to try out a new city or job role for the summer, and this is a perfect way for them to find you. Plus, our site has high visibility and offers:

• nearly 2,100 registered job seekers across all 50 states
• more than 1,400 searchable resumes
• more than 300 average views per job

This is a win-win situation for you and your future intern. Plus, all internship postings are free in our Job Bank.

If you have paid positions open at your organization, use BLOG0308* to receive 10% off a 30 day job advertisement during the month of March, just for reading our blog! Remember, you can always e-mail JobBank@artsusa.org or call 888.491.8833, x1591 with questions or for technical assistance.

*Special offer valid through March 31, 2008.

Ever wonder where you can find the latest grant opportunties? Or legislative news affecting you? Or what your peers around the country are up to? It’s all in one place: The Monthly Wire. But you must be a member of Americans for the Arts to get it. All members, and all staff at member organizations, can receive The Monthly Wire, an e-newsletter that pops into inboxes the third Friday of each month.

If you aren’t getting The Monthly Wire, but think you can’t go another month without it, contact our membership staff to get signed up.

With its helpful information on news and events going on around the country, inspiring stories about your fellow members, and quick tips on awards, funding, and leadership opportuntities, you’ll wonder how you ever went a month without The Monthly Wire.

Leadership happens at all levels throughout our sector – none is more amazing and courageous than by those in the beginning stages of their career.  Having met hundreds of emerging leaders through Americans for the Arts, I am convinced the arts and cultural landscape will remain vibrant and relevant for years to come. Our future is bright. There is no leadership gap.

 We know there are unsung young leaders in our midst. The radical act of leadership is claiming it for yourself or making it happen for someone else. Brilliance abounds – let’s celebrate for all our benefit.

Nominations for the Emerging Leader Award, and all Awards of Americans for the Arts, close Friday, February 15.

No matter what level you join at, all Americans for the Arts members receive discounts of 20-30% on some of the leading publications in the field. These journals are key resources for arts administrators, arts education professionals, public art managers, and artists.

• Arts Education Policy Review, published by Heldref Publications
  Arts Education Policy Review discusses difficult, often controversial, policy issues regarding K-12 education in the arts throughout the nation and the rest of the world. Focusing on education in music, visual arts, theater, dance, and creative writing, the journal encourages varied views and emphasizes analytical exploration. Multiple perspectives make Arts Education Policy Review a key resource for arts educators, administrators, policy analysts, advocacy groups, teachers, parents, audiences, and all those concerned with arts education.

• Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society, published by Heldref Publications
  The Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society offers valuable insights into the role of the arts as well as strategies for supporting the arts in a cultural landscape dominated by the global economy and mass media. The journal tackles significant practical and theoretical issues in arts policy, management, marketing, support, intellectual property, law, governance, and cultural production and dissemination. Analysts, sociologists, arts administrators, educators, trustees, artists, lawyers, and concerned citizens will enjoy the articles, commentaries, and reviews of publications.

• Public Art Review, published by FORECAST Public Artworks
  Public Art Review is the only journal focused on exploring the many dimensions of public art. Each issue provides opinion, analysis, criticism and discussion about the nature and trends in public art. Published semi-annually since 1989, our readership includes artists, architects, curators, city planners, students, educators, design professionals, program administrators, community leaders, writers, and more.

Visit the Online Store today to subscribe.

New Year, New Goals

By now, you’ve probably made a few New Year’s resolutions: lose weight, quit smoking, or be more organized. But have you set career goals for 2008? Are you where you expected to be at this point in your career?

With the new year comes new insight and a fresh opportunity to reflect on where you’ve been and where you want to go. Peter Weddle, a leading expert in human resources, offers an idea called Career Fitness, described below.

Read the rest of this entry »

Do you want to acknowledge an exceptional arts education leader?
Do colleagues call you an arts advocacy superhero?
Did a business executive in your community go above and beyond for the arts this year?

It’s time to recognize their hard work.

Americans for the Arts presents the Annual Awards to honor the achievements of leaders committed to enriching their communities through the arts each year. For every path an arts professional’s career might take, there is an award that is right for them:

Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award
Arts Education Award
Emerging Leader Award
Michael Newton Award for United Arts Funds Leadership
Public Art Network Award
Selina Roberts Ottum Award for Arts Leadership Read the rest of this entry »

Americans for the Arts is pleased to announce our Council election results. Below are your peers from across the country who will be serving on the following Councils starting next year. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and who voted online. We are looking forward to working with these leaders throughout their terms.

Arts Education Council
Emerging Leader Council
Public Art Network (PAN) Council
United Arts Fund (UAF) Council

Read the rest of this entry »