{"id":3634,"date":"2014-06-11T06:30:41","date_gmt":"2014-06-11T10:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/?p=3634"},"modified":"2014-06-11T06:30:41","modified_gmt":"2014-06-11T10:30:41","slug":"develop-allies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/2014\/06\/develop-allies\/","title":{"rendered":"Develop Allies"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ClownHuddle\"In Engagement Working Group<\/a>, I discussed an early step in the process of bolstering an organization’s commitment to engagement. Once members of this core group\u2013those who already have an understanding of and firm commitment to this work\u2013have discovered each other and begun talking and planning, it is time to expand the base. Developing allies means turning the non-enthusiastic into supporters or at least convincing them not to be roadblocks.<\/p>\n

Artcentric habits of mind and practice are so deeply rooted that intellectual arguments alone will seldom suffice. They must be made but they, by themselves, will not provide sufficient traction. In particular, the existential threat case, however true, can serve, at best, to gain attention. Those willing to pursue the matter based on \u201cchange or die\u201d arguments will need more compelling, more inspirational reasons. Others will simply not believe; some will resist based on assumptions about the mission of the arts. To be honest, those who object out of concern for the mission are to be valued for their commitment to core purpose. The \u201cit\u2019s good for art\u201d argument (vitality, expanded cultural palette, etc.) and some of the pragmatic benefits\u2013increased public support, access to new funding sources, etc.\u2013could be meaningful. Finally, the idea of the arts organization working to enhance the life of the community will have weight with some \u201con the inside,\u201d especially board members.<\/p>\n

Essential Gradualism<\/em>
\nJust as important will be reassurance that it is possible to begin engagement work incrementally. That is, the next show\/season will not suddenly consist of work foreign to the current staff and support base. Indeed, relationship building is time-consuming work so the results of engagement with new communities should not<\/em> be immediate or pervasive. This is one place where the lengthy process of engagement is a benefit.<\/p>\n

Available Means and Teachable Moments<\/em>
\nBuilding support for engagement will likely be conducted one-on-one unless it is clear that an established group of people is predisposed to favor a community orientation. If that is<\/em> the case, discussion groups or book clubs may be useful tools.<\/p>\n

There is no perfect moment for beginning, but the timing of approach can be important. In a period of institutional crisis, few people can think about change. However, the immediate aftermath of one might be a good point at which to promote new approaches that could make such a crisis less likely in the future. Similarly, cautionary tales from peer organizations can provide opportunity to discuss how to avoid the perils they are encountering, despite the tendency to believe that bad things can never happen to one\u2019s own organization. And, of course, the reflective mode that precedes and begins good planning processes affords the chance to explore new ways of relating to the community.<\/p>\n

Engaging the Core<\/em>
\nOnce a cadre of advocates\u2013including the CEO and board chair (or, alternatively, other members of the executive committee)\u2013has been secured, the rest of the staff and board should be included in this institutional thinking. Readings, presentations, and discussions are all of value in laying the groundwork and obtaining consensus. Not all will become enthusiastic. A reasonable goal would be to have strong support from all key players and, based on the case made, no vehement, vocal opponents (or at least none in a position to sabotage the work).<\/p>\n

Engage!<\/p>\n

Doug<\/p>\n

Photo: \"Attribution\"\"Noncommercial\"\"Share<\/a><\/span> Some rights reserved<\/a> by thealmightyprophetgitboy<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Engagement Working Group, I discussed an early step in the process of bolstering an organization’s commitment to engagement. Once members of this core group\u2013those who already have an understanding of and firm commitment to this work\u2013have discovered each other and begun talking and planning, it is time to expand the base. Developing allies means […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3636,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Develop Allies\u2013Creating internal support for engagement: http:\/\/wp.me\/p1G6h9-WC","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[10],"tags":[12,13,31],"class_list":{"0":"post-3634","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-the-practice-of-engagement","8":"tag-arts","9":"tag-community-engagement","10":"tag-mainstreaming","11":"entry"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/ClownHuddle-e1400767956955.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1G6h9-WC","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3612,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/2014\/05\/engagement-working-group\/","url_meta":{"origin":3634,"position":0},"title":"Engagement Working Group","author":"Doug Borwick","date":"May 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Assembling a core team and assessing readiness on the path to engagement.","rel":"","context":"In "The Practice of Engagement"","block_context":{"text":"The Practice of Engagement","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/category\/the-practice-of-engagement\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"PenguinConspiracy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/PenguinConspiracy-300x225.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3756,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/2014\/08\/making-meaningful-connections\/","url_meta":{"origin":3634,"position":1},"title":"Making Meaningful Connections","author":"Doug Borwick","date":"August 6, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"The Helicon Collaborative and Irvine Foundation's report on engaging with diverse communities.","rel":"","context":"In "Principles"","block_context":{"text":"Principles","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/category\/principles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Helicon-IrvineConnectionsReport-e1406298763696.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5411,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/2018\/10\/the-state-of-engagement-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":3634,"position":2},"title":"Needs of the Field","author":"Doug Borwick","date":"October 10, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"What needs to happen to more fully embed nonprofit arts organizations in their communities.","rel":"","context":"In "Overview"","block_context":{"text":"Overview","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/category\/overview\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PonderingVista.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5729,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/2019\/10\/doomed-to-fail\/","url_meta":{"origin":3634,"position":3},"title":"Doomed to Fail","author":"Doug Borwick","date":"October 30, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Diversity, equity, and inclusion are vital to the future of the arts. The commitment to community that community engagement requires is an essential foundation upon which to build efforts in DEI.","rel":"","context":"In "Principles"","block_context":{"text":"Principles","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/category\/principles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Fail.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5431,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/2018\/10\/funding-engagement\/","url_meta":{"origin":3634,"position":4},"title":"Funding Engagement","author":"Doug Borwick","date":"October 31, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"If you have to have funding before you can begin community engagement work you are not prepared for it.","rel":"","context":"In "The Practice of Engagement"","block_context":{"text":"The Practice of Engagement","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/category\/the-practice-of-engagement\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Money-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2653,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/engage\/2013\/03\/a-board-of-engagers\/","url_meta":{"origin":3634,"position":5},"title":"A Board of Engagers","author":"Doug Borwick","date":"March 13, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Previously (The Board as Engagers), I discussed considering one role of the board to be that of relationship engine. 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