This digital classroom is currently closed for registration. We will be running this classroom again in late January/early February 2019. To receive information on when we will have our next digital classroom on this topic, please email cjohnson@artsusa.org.

Summary

Executives in art agencies and nonprofit organizations are powerful in many ways. But it’s the program coordinators, managers and support staff who have the unique insight and ability to be catalysts for artists and small arts organizations. “Arts Administrators’ Essentials: Supporting Individual Artists” assists mid-level employees in mid to large arts nonprofits and agencies to be the necessary support for individual creatives in their communities. Through this online classroom, participants will learn how nonprofit arts organizations function, how to lead from their position, strategies to engage with communities, best practices for developing programming, ways to support artists, and how to gain support from supervisors to be effective. It is our goal to help participants use their knowledge and love for the arts to grow our nation’s creative economy.

Outline

Module 1: Being a Professional Artist

To understand the professional role and leadership responsibilities of the artist in society and examine the non-profit, public, commercial, and academic career paths open to artists and those working in cultural fields. Participants will explore the necessary entrepreneurial skills for artists to thrive in the marketplace of ideas, arts products, and cultural services in order to help artists generate and manage revenue and resources.

Module 2: Helping Artists Thrive: How to be a Coach

To examine the skills needed to be in responsible leadership roles in nonprofit art organizations and their relationship as constituents of public arts agencies. Through the examination of readings and interviews, participants will enhance their knowledge and ability to be a coach, implement assessment tools, and offer resources to artists.

Module 3: Engaging Communities for Sustainability

To explore approaches to interact with and support artists in the community. Participants will reflect on personal, social and the cultural value of arts, learn the importance of acknowledging and supporting culture, and how to build productive relationships with artist communities.

Module 4: Creating Relevant Programs

To understand theory versus practice in design, implementation and evaluation of arts programs and community organizations. Participants will examine both historical and contemporary paradigms that contribute to the success or demise of these organizations. Programming approaches, tasks and functions as well as strategic planning will be covered for organizations and community arts partnerships.

Module 5: Partnership Strategies

To learn ways to formulate organizational partnership strategies for facilitating a value exchange between distinct arts and non-arts organization in order to expand reach and exposure for artists.

Module 6: Helping Leaders Value Artists

Investigate practical strategies negotiating and advocating for artists with apprehensive executive leaders and supervisors to support new programs and approaches. Participants will learn how to be strategic in communicating needs to meet programmatic goals, demonstrate the value of individual artists, articulate tangible needs from leaders, and how to connect community goals with the mission of the organization for effective results. Participants will be able to articulate their position and artists’ importance in the creative ecosystem.

Funded by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation