In the current economic climate, the arts are newly challenged to maintain legitimacy and financial support. This takes a toll on the internal culture and artistic output of arts organizations. Regardless of the benefits in creating long-term plans and assessing core values, etc., many arts organizations cannot look past their upcoming seasons to ensure viability.
The Americans for the Arts convention in Seattle this June focused on sustainability and renewable resources for the arts. The keynote speech, Renewable Resources: Arts in Sustainable Communities by Peter Senge, got me thinking about how the arts can remain sustainable and true to their core purpose through financial struggles.
Attempting a new angle on this widely acknowledged problem was difficult, however. Instead of providing unique insight, I will instead provide links to emerging resources for arts managers that aim to quench the demise of nonprofits both large and small. Here is what I’ve found:
The Kennedy Center’s Michael Kaiser Arts in Crisis tour: http://www.artsincrisis.org/press.cfm. Recent stop in Madison, WI. Next to Grand Rapids, MI and Los Angeles, CA.
Americans for the Arts policy and advocacy funding resources: http://www.artsusa.org/get_involved/advocacy/funding_resources/default.asp
The League of American Orchestras On The Road to Authentic Civic Engagement: http://www.americanorchestras.org/learning_and_leadership/civic_engagement.html
And finally,
The NEA’s Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act: http://www.nea.gov/recovery/index.html
I am interested in feedback regarding how arts organizations can utilize financial resources and internal personnel as mechanisms to retain economic viability. Hoping for ongoing dialogue while researching organizational culture of the performing arts for Simply Sustainability, Part II.
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