Flops, Failures, and Fortitude: 5 Keys to Success in any Creative Endeavor

by Natalie Wickham The young teacher finished arranging the game pieces for the first planned activity of the evening just as the doorbell rang. A few minutes later, the first student was seated on the floor, eagerly anticipating the fun he would have during the group class. He was soon joined by another cheerful face, and the teacher chatted with...

How the Arts Can Stay Relevant and Adapt to our Changing Culture

The presentation below, by Diane Ragsdale, is one of the most powerful talks I’ve heard on the state of the arts in a long time.  After arguing that the arts have lost their way in today’s quickly changing society, she makes a series of concrete suggestions that can help get us adapt to the culture change and regain our...

The Coming Melt-Down in Music Higher Education (and some hopeful solutions)

Seth Godin—bestselling author, one of the world’s leading marketing experts, and a personal hero—recently published the article The Coming Melt-Down in Higher Education (as seen by a marketer).  In it, he argues that academia may be an industry in peril in today’s new economy.  To support this thesis, he cites 5 major...

Take Control of your Artistic Mission

by Daniel Wood Whether your artistic business is a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a not-for-profit corporation, you need focus to make things happen.  You need to know why you are doing the things that you are doing, otherwise you may steer way off course and not get anywhere. At the same time, you need to be adaptable to the market and...

Selling Out

“People who focus on making a profit through their art are selling out.”  That’s a fairly common belief espoused by some aspiring artists.  Here are a few other variations: “Artists who focus on marketing are selling out.” “Artists who change what they do just to appeal to bigger audiences are selling out.”     As pure and...

Audience Engagement Strategy – New Music, New Presentation!!!

Conventional wisdom argues that audiences only like the familiar.  They’re only interested in concert experiences where they can hear the music they already know and love.  This mindset is certainly embraced by most booking agents, presenters, and orchestra programmers. My experience indicates otherwise.  People seem to love the new. ...

An Exciting Approach to Arts Entrepreneurship Education

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit Millikin University, a small liberal arts college in Decatur, IL.  While there, I was delighted to learn about their unique and (as far as I know) unprecedented approach to arts entrepreneurship.  The model in place illustrates one powerful way universities can support a culture of...

The True Power of the Performing Arts

Please enjoy this passionate and bold look forward by arts administrator and live-theater fan Ben Cameron as he looks at the state of the live arts.  The central question: How can the magic of live theater, live music, live dance compete with the always-on Internet? Ben Cameron is the Program Director, Arts, at the Doris Duke Charitable...

Should I Start a Nonprofit?

by Daniel Wood First off, I have to confess that I’m not a lawyer.  I was the jury foreman once, but don’t think that counts.  So please don’t take my advice and quote me in a court of law.  They would probably laugh anyway.  However, I did start a not-for-profit performing arts corporation in California and have acted as its executive...

New (School) Year Resolutions

Believe it or not, it’s back to school time again!  Before things get too hectic, here’s a question for music students (and professors, and the rest of us): What specific actions will you take this academic year to advance your career?  Sure, you’ll improve playing and other artistic specialties.  But from a professional...