Here's how you can infuse nonprofit leadership practices with artistic expression.

LinkedIn asks: How can you infuse non-profit leadership practices with artistic expression? Many museum professionals spend their day inside their offices, staring at computers rather than incredible art in the galleries a few steps away. What if meetings happened in galleries filled with art (twice a week) rather than over Zoom or in a dark meeting room? What would happen if a meeting began with a team member sharing the most inspiring work of art they've seen this last year, and why? Art inspires us when it is near, even if it is just in our own minds. And sharing these experiences with one another may offer abundant ideas and relationships with one another to flourish.

One thing I find helpful is encouraging our team to think outside the box and explore new ways of telling compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences. I understand that combining nonprofit leadership practices with artistic expression (in this case storytelling) can create a profound impact. Another thing we do is, we incorporate artistic elements into every stage of our program design. From initial concept to final design, we use film and other forms of artistic expression to engage and educate our target audience. By artistic storytelling, we bring attention to critical social issues and inspire action.

In my experience, art is basic to any strategic plan when moving towards an increased visual presence. When working with art it doesn’t have to necessarily use traditional media. For example, you can use sound, colour and textural layers, through the use of light or movement. There are other ways to use more nontraditional art media to effectively highlight your mission, vision and values to others. Something as simple as using light through the sky to show pattern or design can increase curiosity about your organization. Curiosity increases engagement and can increase excitement about what you stand for. The use of artistic visual signs or symbols can lead to richer connections with people in both a verbal and nonverbal way.

Many non-profits have professional development days where they will engage their staff in activities such as going out to look at local architecture or go to a play. Experiences like these lead to a creative dialogue with each other as well as critical thinking.

An artful vision requires the art society to understand purpose and functionality. Are you publisher, an online gallery, a residency, a physical gallery, a grant giving organization, or curatorial organization? Maybe a combination of these elements, however you need to focus on one the most and accentuate the mission with art which remains relevant sociologically but also aesthetically and critically. Only featuring work which displays only technique or only concept leaves less to ponder on.

I agree; however, we function in a society where there is little focus on creativity for the sake of team wellness and mental health. Creativity is connected to the bottom line. Right or wrong there needs to be a flexibility in the workplace so all ideas, no matter how far out of the box they fall, are considered. Freedom of expression without judgement is important and needs to be authentic for there to be true creative collaboration.

Teams can become so much more aligned and cohesive if creativity is used as a channel, a tool for them to generate new ideas, to dare to step out of the box, to express in a free manner their thoughts, ideas and feelings.. and because when being creative “all is allowed”, you can really tap on ideas that would otherwise be not brought forward. Of course not all ideas will be pursued… or not yet, but creativity will allow your teams to innovative in a safe environment and even have fun while doing so. Creativity also allows teams to bond, to get to know each other in a different manner. Time spent in a creative manner is time that will most likely bring the best ideas into the table. What you do with them is then your decision.

My assistant curator not only assists in writing for our publisher but she helps perform tasks in areas where I am lacking such as handling our communications and social media presence. By being on the team, she obtains increased insight into critical writing while providing an invaluable service in connecting to our artists and audiences. A well balanced team fills the gaps of each other's weaknesses to create a solid chain.

Ideally, a creative team would be small. No more than five people, or the team will get bogged down. I find letting the team brainstorm before the team brings in senior management. This way, the team and their ideas can be solidified and confidently presented for approval. Unfortunately, management doesn't always value creativity, especially if a project involves a funder who wants to participate.

LinkedIn asks: How does expressive outreach relate to non-profit leadership and artistic expression? So many who love art love to be a part of something bigger than themselves, whether it is to support an artist, a project, an institution, a community, or the entire world. As a curator who has worked with many stakeholders in outreach, those who are feel like they are a part of something - an exhibition, a project, an artwork, an event - and that they feel they are heard, they will be more invested in making it better. Expressive outreach is about bringing the reach into and out of us, making it an "Usreach." If we creatively bring ourselves to others, we are making room for an "us" and making the "reach" no longer necessary.

Expressive outreach may apply in numerous amount of ways. In publishing, my field, we focus on our strength which remains our critical review catalogue. What has drawn artists to us over the past 10 years has been specific and permanent recognition of their work and accomplishments through well-written analysis. Sometimes a well documented critical article that pops up on the top of google results may be more valuable to an artists' overall career and reputation than a gigantic mural.

Videos and gifs are sent as a card in an email campaign, which can be a unique way to spread outreach. You can encourage people to share the video card with another person who may not know about the organization. Another tool can be used is a live stream on TikTok or Instagram to encourage people to donate. Make it competition.

Because my publisher remains an entirely online society, we focus on online exhibits, social media, and newsletters to draw artists and audiences to our publishing. Engaging events could be interpreted as clever marketing. We have to remember the focus should be on the art and artist, not so much on the organization, without engaging art the organization remains a flashy empty shell.

I agree. I am extremely annoyed with the application fees. It seems disingenuous and they are making money off artists ????. I think selling the artwork and taking a cut is the better option as a win/win.

I'm afraid I have to disagree. Asking artists to donate work for an auction or event takes money out of an artist's pocket. It has been my experience with potential patrons of an artist who will wait for a fundraiser auction or event to purchase work from an artist because the price is usually lower for the artist's work. It establishes a lower price for that artist over time.

LinkedIn asks: How does reflection relate to non-profit leadership and artistic expression? In several curatorial projects, I've tried to push myself beyond my comfort zone in how I write about art on view. Curation can be seen as a mysterious field where the curator remains off-camera, and speaks as the authority as they describe a work of art. Yet curators are not all-knowing, they are just ordinary people who happen to have been trained in a particular area of study. And so much writing in museums I find quite boring! Sometimes, positioning yourself within your writing and perhaps reflecting upon and openly critiquing yourself, can add a sense of creativity, humility, and humanness, qualities that museum visitors are craving today.