I’m starting to see some discussion about why arts organizations are failing. Some people are pointing to transparency issues, or rather that the organizations have not been transparent enough so their patrons know the truth about their financial situations. Others are pointing fingers at their board and management staff for not stepping up to make…
From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary Definition of LOYAL 1 : unswerving in allegiance: as a : faithful in allegiance to one’s lawful sovereign or government b : faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due c : faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product 2 : showing loyalty Examples of LOYAL The…
Today I have been thinking a great deal about taking risks. I myself have taken some risks these past few years. For the past 3 years (and some months) I have been running a business called Audience Development Specialists. We help artists and arts organizations build a happy and loyal audience. Through working one-on-one with…
Today I came across this article: Fund for the Arts ponders new ways, director in post-Allan Cowen era It was a very open and honest article about mistakes that have been made and the consequences that resulted from these mistakes. If arts organizations want to not only survive, but thrive, we need to point out…
Part of audience development is building relationships to the point that your patrons will support your art and/or organization. You want to have people in your individual community that will donate and sponsor your art. In the past few years, I have seen some very good examples of fundraising ideas that not only builds relationships,…
Today I am happy to present our first guest blogger, David Zoltan. After seeing a few articles about treating your donors well, I thought it was time to chime in with a blog entry to highlight what not to do when relating with your donors. Please enjoy the following blog, our first in many guest…
I have been missing in action the past week in order to work on a project near and dear to my heart. I have been seeing a need for an audience development for the arts conference, a place to actually learn a few of the ins and outs while being able to exchange ideas with…
I may have blogged about this before, but due to all the arts cuts scares and conversations, I felt that this topic needed to be resurrected. Audience development can be the answer for obtaining support in challenging times. In order for audience development to work its magic, you need these ingredients: A good plan The…
There has been a good discussion happening since Rocco Landesman, chairman of the NEA, had the audacity ( ;O) ) to point out that arts organizations should downsize or collaborate more due to high supply and low demand: #SupplyDemand There of some us in the arts world that will agree and some of us who…
Before Alex Ross and today’s other advocates for changing the classical music presentation, there was John Steinmetz. One of my twitter friends, @RachDminor, alerted me to an essay John Steinmetz wrote called “Resuscitating Art Music.” What surprised me about this essay is how much his ideas and concepts for change are very much the same…
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