About 20 years ago, when I was in graduate school, I came across the following poem:
When an old pond
gets a new frog
it’s a new pond.
I think the inverse also may be true.
I’ve often been the new frog jumping into an old pond. Since 1988, I’ve worked in the arts in the US in various roles (funder, practitioner, administrator, executive, teacher, and consultant), across a variety of artistic disciplines (theater, dance, film, and music), and in organizations and markets of varying sizes and types. In 2010 I jumped ponds again (quite literally this time) and am now living in Europe and pursuing a PhD in cultural economics.
I’m interested in the relationship between economic strategy and mission. As my advisor at Erasmus University, Arjo Klamer, would say, “financing is never neutral.” Jumper seeks to delve into the values, ideologies, politics, and principles that underpin current practices and purposes in the arts and to bring forward for consideration alternative (at times, perhaps, irrational) perspectives—from history we’ve forgotten or never learned, from other fields and industries, and from having been an outsider-looking-in for much of my career.
Recent Comments
Jason Ferguson on A new talk: Our long tug of war in the arts
Commercial producers do work with bare bones staff, but it is important to factor in that commercial producers also outsource...william osborne on A new talk: Our long tug of war in the arts
I realize I’m talking in an empty room after everyone has left, but I thought it might be interesting to...william osborne on A new talk: Our long tug of war in the arts
I appreciate this article. In recent years there has been a strong emphasis placed on market strategies in the...Diane Ragsdale on A new talk: Our long tug of war in the arts
Leonard, It would be a pleasure to break bread with you ... and preferable to Skype from my perspective. I'm in...Benjamin Lemon on A new talk: Our long tug of war in the arts
Terrific subject. I’d like to respond to two separate strains of thought in Diane’s piece, that are also touched on...Leonard Jacobs on A new talk: Our long tug of war in the arts
Funnily enough, given my propensity for blather, I think the answer to some of your questions is a bit of...Richard Kooyman on A new talk: Our long tug of war in the arts
Joanne, I would suggest the audience needs artists more than they even realize. I don't believe you can have...Scott Walters on A new talk: Our long tug of war in the arts
I would remind Leonard that there is no provision in the tax ordinances regarding the arts. The reason an arts...Aaron Andersen on A new talk: Our long tug of war in the arts
If this is really about taxes, then let's push for legislative expansion of the definition of "unrelated business income" to...Diane Ragsdale on A new talk: Our long tug of war in the arts
OK - point taken ... I like the study because it encourages me to think about how markets can influence...