As I investigate and come to understand various administrative designs, and how they can be best applied for accomplishment of identified ends, I begin to see a bigger picture. I spent a lot of time over the previous year studying and analyzing organizational models (designs) in the arts and culture sector. After living intensely with the topic, I had to overcome the "so what" effect, e.g. "alright, so you have identified a bunch of new and unused models, now what?" I realized that this information needs context -- both … [Read more...]
Learning about Administrative Design
October 20, 2010 By 3 Comments
So in order to learn more about administrative design and its impact on output (artistic in this case), I've had to jump into literature from the business world. The closest I can come to study examples is in the health care field, which share our mostly not-for-profit status. What I have learned is that the success of administrative designs in business and health care is determined by how well a product or service sells and/or how well a particular constituent group is served. It appears that in the best of cases, … [Read more...]
Detroit Symphony Lamentation
October 11, 2010 By 4 Comments
I cannot help but comment on the recent developments in Detroit, as they so painfully illustrate the enormous challenges that symphony orchestras face now, and into the future. Let me begin by saying that these musicians, as well as their colleagues across the country are performing optimally in their jobs, "as they were trained to do." Performance education is a lifelong pursuit of excellence. I believe I know this from various significant perspectives. The catch is, however, that orchestras, and most especially their … [Read more...]
Hmm, Are There Really Too Many 501c3′s?
October 1, 2010 By 3 Comments
I've been operating under an assumption that there are too many 501c3's. I've been building a case to support this (popular) notion, and then to suggest alternative organizational models. And while I still strongly believe that a healthy arts and culture landscape includes a variety of organizational models, I am questioning my initiating assumption. Last night I received some data from Nick Crosson, who directs the data arm of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. I had asked Nick to give me data on the growth of 501c3 … [Read more...]
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