A recent dinner conversation with friends rolled around to the question: "What is art?" A long conversation ensued. Someone offered up Wikipedia's definition: "Art is a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or performing artifacts, expressing the author's imaginative or technical skill, intended to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power." This group of arts administrators was unsatisfied. As … [Read more...]
What is Audience Engagement? (Part 2)
It’s commonplace to talk about the need for “audience engagement” – but what does the term actually mean? Let's pick up from yesterday's discussion... Here again, I’m delighted (and grateful) to offer the insights of respected friends and colleagues on this question: What is the meaning of the word “engagement”? And how does an arts organization know if it is succeeding? ————- Doug McLennan - Founder & Editor of … [Read more...]
It’s the Experience, Stupid
"Why don't more people attend?" Is it because we don't have a large enough advertising budget - a more compelling social media presence - a better PR angle - an updated logo - enough telemarketing staff - or a more sophisticated database? Is it that we serve uneducated and unenlightened communities - that a lack of arts education leaves a market of just older, educated & affluent participants - there's so much competition from other … [Read more...]
Silly Little Mistakes
"Silly little mistakes add up." When our kids were in grade school, that's how my wife and I impressed upon them the need to double (and triple) check their tests and school assignments before submitting them. Silly little mistakes reveal gaps in our thoughtfulness. They are places where we give back points for no purposeful reason. Each is (at best) a nugget of carelessness and (at worst) an unconditional moment of surrender. Over … [Read more...]