Meeting Half Way

When two parties need to bridge distance between them there is a common phrase we use, “I’ll meet you half way.” That appeals to our basic sense of fairness. No one should have to do all the giving in developing (or healing) a relationship.

When arts organizations are attempting to develop a relationship (engage) with a new community, that same principle should apply, and we often refer to meeting them half way.  But I had a bit of an epiphany (although, yes, it’s a “Duh!”) that in meeting half way, both parties have to move. A commitment to relationship building requires a willingness to move. For an arts organization this means doing some thing or things differently.

If there is a belief that commitment to mission precludes much or any “movement” then something has to give. Either assumptions about the mission need to be examined or it will be necessary to recognize that true engagement is unachievable. Fortunately, the only understanding of mission that makes movement toward new communities impossible is one that assumes the way it has always been done (time, place, mode of presentation, and all content) is the way it must continue to be done.

This framework generates a question to apply in examining engagement activities. “What are you doing differently as a result of your commitment to engagement?” [This question was not among those in the last two posts (Yep, We Do That-Sequel (Part I) and Yep, We Do That-Sequel (Part II), but it is like one in my earlier post, Yep, We Do That: “In what ways has the work you do been altered, affected by your understanding of your communities (not your assumptions about your communities)?”] More importantly, how would the communities you are trying to reach answer that question about you? If your organization has difficulty responding to the question or if you think communities might have difficulty identifying a change, it’s likely more work needs to be done. It’s time to move.

Engage!

Doug

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