Readings
Way beyond butts in seats
Many of us have complained about the metrics we use in the arts to inform our management and measure our... more...Posted on January 9, 2008
Measuring cultural vitality
Lots of communities and consultants talk about ''cultural vitality,'' and the benefits of achieving that status for their local economy,... more...Posted on January 8, 2007
Better learning through comics
Learn the basics of intellectual property law without falling asleep. Bound by Law is a copyright tutorial in comic book form. A fun and informative read for anyone in the business of creative expression. more...Posted on August 23, 2006
The longer narrative on the ''long tail''
I posted back in 2004 about the idea of ''the long tail,'' advanced by Wired magazine's Chris Anderson. The gist... more...Posted on July 19, 2006
What does a ''great organization'' look like?
Jim Collins' business best-seller, Good to Great, is an inspiring read for cultural managers. But even better is his specific monograph on the application of his thinking to the social sectors. It's only 35 pages, but it contains volumes of insight and action steps. more...Posted on March 16, 2006
Balancing the triangle at Steppenwolf
This exceptionally interesting case study of Steppenwolf's first 25 years of growth and dynamic change is a great learning tool for any organization considering getting bigger. more...Posted on October 24, 2005
A portrait of the visual arts
RAND has a new report out on the structure and dynamics of the visual arts -- a sister work to... more...Posted on September 29, 2005
The future of philanthropy
There's a world of wonderful things in this new website and its corresponding report on The Future of Philanthropy. Thanks... more...Posted on February 23, 2005
Gifts of the Muse
In February 2005, the Wallace Foundation released its long-awaited report (at least, long-awaited by me), Gifts of the Muse: Reframing... more...Posted on February 17, 2005
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy
A rather bold attempt to capture the core canon of cultural knowledge required of an advanced American citizen. With section entries from The Bible to mythology to the fine arts, the reference could be the pocket guide for the culturally informed (although with 6900 entries, you'd have to have a wonking big pocket). more...Posted on September 17, 2004
Roller Coaster Tycoon
A computer game that can simulate decision-making for the arts and cultural manager? Sure. Okay, you're managing a theme park instead of a performing arts hall, but the experience is eerily similar. more...Posted on September 2, 2004
Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software
Steven Johnson has a way with complex subjects, which he proves again in this fascinating book on the pattern-forming behaviors of complex systems (like ant colonies, cities, artificial intelligence software, mold spores, and other fun stuff). Believe it or not, it's all directly relevant to the manager of arts and culture. more...Posted on July 29, 2004
Big Night
In the guise of a story about an Italian family restaurant in 1950s New Jersey comes the best movie yet about arts and cultural management. more...Posted on July 11, 2004
Sunday in the Park with George
Stephen Sondheim's 1984 musical based (very) loosely on the life and work of impressionist painter Georges Seurat. The themes suggest that while great art can help us see new connections, great artists are often disconnected from their worlds and their work by the process of it. more...Posted on January 4, 2004
Art as Experience
John Dewey's astounding lecture series from 1932 on the nature of art. By no means an easy read, but jam-packed with the building blocks of the truly artful manager. more...Posted on December 12, 2003
Is Art Good for Us?
Joli Jensen takes on a stubborn myth about the arts in American culture: that they make people and communities better. Jensen builds from a full range of authors, from Tocqueville to John Dewey, and maps out the history of this persistent belief in an effort to smash it apart. more...Posted on September 2, 2003
On Being Nonprofit
Frumkin's overview of the whys and wheres of the nonprofit corporate status provides a clear and balanced view. more...Posted on August 9, 2003
