Why are the arts afraid of change?
"We love the idea. It's fantastic and would help us greatly. But we can't do it."
That's what the Executive Director of a theatre company told me when we discussed Diablo Ballet's re | action audience cultivation program, the project that has delivered a record number of subscribers and single ticket buyers (info here).
She loved the idea but felt her organization had too many self-imposed road blocks to even consider. And, she added, "the board would never go for it."
Not even a "let's examine all possibilities." Just an immediate shut down.
The resistance in the arts to change is staggering. Today, we are faced with lack of audiences, decreased ticket purchases, lower attendance, challenges from other entertainment sources (Netflix, anyone?)...and yet, organizations don't and won't try.
One of my favorite quotes is from David Gockley, former General Director of the San Francisco Opera, who said we can no longer do "business as usual." But while the business is open, it is closed to new ideas.
Our resistance to the unknown...the different...is sad and scary. How many important voices are being silenced now because your organization is to afraid to "try"?
Is your arts organization even trying?
I dare you to do one thing this year that is completely different than anything you've ever done. Push the limits...break the barriers...make some noise. And, yes, even fail. Only thought our greatest failures can we achieve our greatest successes.
Dan Meagher is Director of Audience Development and Digital Engagement for Diablo Ballet. Feel free to direct message with any questions.
Can I get an Amen!? How 'bout 100 Amens?! ;) Bravo, Dan!?
Assistant Director of Development, WVU College of Creative Arts and Media
6 年Great read! ?This is arts education too. ?We spend a lot of time learning "arts for arts sake" instead of learning what we contribute to local economies, therapies, etc. ?
Communications Expert. Public Speaker. NonProfit Marketer. Arts Administrator. Email Marketing Specialist. AI for NonProfits Consultant. Native Pittsburgher. West Virginia University Mountaineer. Team Oxford Comma.
6 年TOTALLY agree with you on this one! It definitely stems from fear (which is often unfounded). If doing things the way we've always done them was working, audiences wouldn't be declining. We know how to engage our longtime supporters - that's easy - so let's spend less resources doing that and more resources engaging new audiences in authentic ways. Let's fundamentally change how we talk to people about what we do. It isn't the art that is the issue, it is how we position it in the marketplace.?