The poll for Most Interesting New Venues of 2009 has closed.  We had 38 votes. 

Here are the twitter poll results: http://twtpoll.com/dj54ku

• The Chicago Loop Alliance fills vacant spaces with art.  [ 66% (25 votes) ]

• The Chiara String Quartet performs in bars.  [ 5% (2 votes) ]

• Chicago Opera Theater’s Pop-Up Opera. [ 29% (11 votes) ]

So, the tweeples choice award for Most Interesting Venue of 2009 goes to: The Chicago Loop Alliance

I want to thank Daniel Jackman from Chicago Opera Theater for the background story of their “Pop-Up Opera.”  If you missed it, please view the comment here: http://bit.ly/7midBl

I also had a good email conversation with the marketing associate for Chiara String Quartet, who was my pick for this category.  My feeling is, that in order for the arts to be more accessible to younger generations, we need to start performing where these people gather.  Bringing classical music to a bar setting is a great idea, and something that was new to me.

For a recap, here are the categories for Audience Development Tweets for 2009:

• Most Interesting New Venues – The Chicago Loop Alliance (Tweeples Choice Award)  – The Chiara String Quartet (ADS Award)
• Best Use of Mainstream – poll open now – see below!
• Best Arts Advocate – poll open now – see below!
• Best Use of Technology and Social Media
• Best Audience Participation
• Best Fusions
• Best Collaborations
• Best Festivals
• Best Use of Going Informal
• Best New Programs
• Best Discussions
• Best “Arts Make a Difference”
• Best Audience Development Quotes
• Best Audience Development Studies

So onto the next two categories  –

Best Use of Mainstream 2009

I rescanned my tweets and found three really good references:

• ‘Star Wars: In Concert’: a coda with Yoda http://bit.ly/625Jsq

• Lively & Looney Pop entertainment crosses over with classical fare in Bugs Bunny on Broadway http://bit.ly/Bv8xh

• Audience Development genius of the day: Chicago Museum of Science and Industry “Harry Potter” works wonders http://tinyurl.com/lq6skk

I highly recommend if you have seen another good candidate for this category to write it in for the “Other” choice.  The poll for this category is now open through next Monday, January 25th: http://twtpoll.com/kjqztc

Now here are the tweets for Best Arts Advocate 2009

• (Gustavo Dudamel) In case you missed this :O)…Hollywood Swoons Over That Hair, That Baton http://bit.ly/1lXiQM

• (The Obamas) CAPITAL CULTURE: Obamas big on White House gigs http://bit.ly/JdFGh

• (Michael Kaiser) Kennedy Center chief  says great art is key to weathering crisis http://bit.ly/35eWF
  

The reason I choose these three candidates was simply due to the fact that they all received great coverage for the Arts in 2009, and they are all promoting the Arts in new ways.  Their dedication to forming new relationships for the arts, producing better audience development for the arts, has been noted.  Again, if you were inspired by another good candidate, please write them in the “Other” line. The poll for this category is now open through next Monday, January 25th: http://twtpoll.com/7etbza

Happy voting!

Cheers to happy and loyal audiences,

Shoshana

Shoshana Fanizza
Audience Development Specialists
https://www.buildmyaudience.com
Facebook/twitter /E-mazing Newsletter /Blog

“Never treat your audience as customers, always as partners.”
~James Stewart