How can arts organisations not only survive but thrive in the current times? What can organisations do to balance the danger of failure with the drive to provide engaging audience experiences?
Below, we have compiled links to key research and tips from international arts organisations that will hopefully provide interesting ideas on how to position your organisation for success.
If you come across a resource we don’t have listed on this page, let us know by email website@creativenz.govt.nz so we can add it.
Resources that include video
http://foundationcenter.org/newyork/ny_events_archive.html
A superb archive of video and audio that deals with topics such as "Dialogue with Donors: Arts Funding in a Time of Economic Downturn" and "Economic Storm: Challenges and Opportunities—Changing the Paradigm to Meet Community Needs".
http://www.makingmusic.org.uk/video/recessionsupport/
A video and other resources from the UK Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO). Robin Osterley, Chief Executive of Making Music, talks about the arts on Making Music's new recession support website.
Specific ideas for the arts in a recession
http://www.audienceslondon.org/?lid=1289
Audiences London works with the arts and heritage sectors to increase understanding about audience and visitor needs. They have a feature called 'Riding out the Recession', where you can download their guide on ‘What to do in a Downturn'. The guide has tips, evidence from downturns past, current sectoral trends and predictions for future impacts. Get the guide from Audiences London's website here.
http://www.blueavocado.org/content/survival-strategies-arts
John Killacky, a hugely experienced performing arts curator and director of various arts organsations in the United States, provides his list of Survival Strategies for the Arts.
http://www.theatrebayarea.org/artsforum/2009/01/economic-convening-arts-in-san.html
A report from a conference on the economic recession and its impact on the arts community in the San Francisco Area. You can download a pdf (106kb) of the report here, or from their site at the above link.
http://www.creativechoices.co.uk/creative-economy/
A feature which includes an excellent speech by John Holden called 'The Arts in a Recession' and an extensive report based upon interviews with 42 artists, entrepreneurs, commentators, analysts, policy-makers, policy-sceptics, academics, financiers – and citizens. The report is called 'After the Crunch'.
http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/the_arts/features/weathering_the_storm-_fundraising_in_gloomy_financial_times
The Australia Council for the Arts' list of resources on how a financial downturn may prompt arts organisations to re-think their fundraising tactics.
Excellent resources in news articles
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/giving/11ARTS.html?_r=1
Discusses books on arts organisations surviving economic downturn, including Michael M. Kaiser's "The Art of the Turnaround: Creating and Maintaining Healthy Arts Organizations", (Brandeis University Press) and Reynold Levy's "Yours for the Asking: An Indispensable Guide to Fund-Raising and Management" (John Wiley & Sons).
http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/k/michael_m_kaiser/index.html
Articles on Michael M. Kaiser, the 'turnaround king' of international arts organizations.
Resources for best practice ideas
http://www.slideshare.net/Debask/social-media-branding-and-engagement-for-nonprofit-arts-organizations
A presentation on how arts and non-profit organisations can use the internet and social media.
http://sanfranciscoblog.foundationcenter.org/2008/10/power-of-partne.html
Part of Philanthropy Front and Center's 'Transforming Competition into Collaboration: Power of Partnership Series'.
http://www.ifacca.org/
The website of the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies. A particularly useful resource is their bi-monthly newsletter, which highlights initiatives internationally. To sign up for the newsletter, click here http://www.ifacca.org/accounts/register/
Specialist blogs
http://mashable.com/2009/07/08/community-arts-organizations/
Emily Goligoski of Federated Media's strategic programs group writes about 'How Community Arts Organizations Are Using Social Media'.
http://cecicreative.com/blog/
A creative marketing agency blog on arts organisations' use of social media.