Monday, April 22, 2013
I write frequently about the benefits of joint ventures between arts institutions. They can lower cost, improve the quality...
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:28AMMonday, April 15, 2013
The leadership of the Metropolitan Opera recently announced that they were lowering most of their ticket prices for next season. At the same time, they announced that it is now clear that th…
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 09:26AMMonday, April 8, 2013
Without a clear vision for the future, executive directors are doomed to making marginal changes that do not truly move their organizations forward. And without a bit of dreaming, it is diff…
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:28AMMonday, April 1, 2013
Arts professionals are an inspiring group; they truly believe in what they do and almost always think that doing more of it is...
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:30AMMonday, March 25, 2013
While you have access, no doubt, to a wealth of advice and knowledge, I humbly suggest that you fully exploit the expertise of your arts community and the power of cultural diplomacy.
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 09:20AMMonday, March 18, 2013
One of the frustrations of being a consultant is that one doesn't have control over the implementation of the plans you develop.
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 09:07AMMonday, March 11, 2013
Just putting on stage a full complement of performances is enough to tax us. And mid-season is when we (should) acknowledge where we are falling short in terms of financial performance.
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 10:42AMMonday, March 4, 2013
The mystery surrounding fundraising has led many people, usually board members, to ask: What makes a good fundraising executive?
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 10:53AMMonday, February 25, 2013
A fascinating article recently published in the L.A. Times evaluated reasons why arts organizations and other not-for-profit institutions have problems meeting their fundraising goals.
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:21AMTuesday, February 19, 2013
I hope the Search Committee finds a remarkable person to run the Kennedy Center, someone who can take the institution to new places and can educate and entertain our audience in ways I could…
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:21AMMonday, February 11, 2013
Eight months ago, the Miami City Ballet was a mess. The remarkable Edward Villella was beginning his last season as artistic director, the organization had run out of cash, its executive dir…
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:12AMMonday, February 4, 2013
While reading the financial reports of numerous arts organizations recently, I have been alarmed at how many of them are taking large percentages of their endowment as income each year.
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 09:05AMMonday, January 28, 2013
As government funding for the arts has fallen (as it has in most European countries), museums are trying to fill their budget gaps by asking the public to contribute.
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:03AMTuesday, January 22, 2013
I have been anxious about the precarious nature of this country's arts organizations of color; it is ironic that...
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:27AMMonday, January 14, 2013
So much great art is dependent on the need for ensemble. The great orchestras and dance companies are great not simply because of the agglomeration of talented artists but also because of t…
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:35AMMonday, January 7, 2013
I have tremendous sympathy for arts organizations that are facing fiscal challenges. But it is difficult to feel much sympathy for an organization that causes its own demise by failing to fi…
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:16AMMonday, December 17, 2012
I do hope we can bring together managers, musicians and board members from orchestras large and small and begin a coherent, comprehensive, solution-focused discussion on how we are going to …
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:23AMMonday, December 10, 2012
It is not uncommon to read about huge deficits and cancelled seasons. Not surprisingly, orchestras are suffering the most. This has left many suggesting that we need new models for running a…
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:02AMMonday, December 3, 2012
Owing to a series of coincidences, I have spent a great deal of time in Miami over the past year. I have completed a...
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:24AMMonday, November 26, 2012
What is a LYBNT? It is someone who gave Last Year But Not This (year). This is a crucial list in our fundraising strategy. The easiest people to raise money from, in general, are those who h…
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 07:59AMMonday, November 19, 2012
While there is much that gives us concern in the current environment, we who work in the arts truly have a great deal to be thankful for this and every year.
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:29AMTuesday, November 13, 2012
If Pregones Theater can emerge from the current recession far larger and stronger than they entered it, then why can't every arts organization in America?
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:17AMMonday, November 5, 2012
In a field where few of us have the resources to engage a 'number two' executive, there is no large pool of trained leaders ready to move up to the top spot without some risk.
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 09:24AMMonday, October 29, 2012
Over a period of years, I found that the earned income ratio has lost its place in the pantheon of useful arts management concepts and was rarely discussed by board members or arts managers.…
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:20AMMonday, October 22, 2012
It was, by far, the most challenging assignment of my life and I am proud of the remarkable work of the Board, staff and artists during that difficult period. They all worked hard under grea…
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:12AMMonday, October 15, 2012
While I still believe the best arts managers are those who come to solutions that are based on their organizations' unique situations, there are many arts managers who do not bring that leve…
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:52AMTuesday, October 9, 2012
Unhappy employees almost always lead to an unhappy family.
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:07AMMonday, October 1, 2012
I write frequently about the dearth of arts education in our public schools and the impact this will have on the arts...
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:02AMMonday, September 24, 2012
There are two days of the calendar that are very close together for most arts organizations but that elicit completely different emotions from me and from many other arts executives I know: …
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:49AMMonday, September 17, 2012
Over the years I have come to a very simple conclusion: artists and their arts managers get the boards they deserve.
I do not...
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:17AMMonday, September 10, 2012
Some believe that donor fatigue is an inevitable consequence of long-term involvement with an arts organization, or other not-for-profit venture, and that these organizations must be prepare…
SOURCE: Huffington Post at 08:32AM 
