Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to report that last week the Performing Arts Centers Consortium held its first-ever Education and Community Engagement Conference at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The conference was three days of meetings, dialogues, panel discussions and enriching one-on-one conversations to share and learn from each other about our nationwide efforts, including Canada, to engage various communities with the performing … Continue reading First-ever Education and Community Engagement Conference Marks New Era in the Performing Arts

I recently ran across articles in the online editions of Pacific Standard Magazine and the New York Times about “Generation Z” or “Gen Z,” the post-Millennial generation of youth born after 1995. Both articles offer an urgent message for the leaders of conventional arts organizations and cultural institutions: “business as usual is no longer an option.” The New York Times article describes these 68 million … Continue reading Generation Z Offers Challenges to Arts and Cultural Organizations

Last week, the podcast, “CI to Eye” focused on the issue of race and its impact on arts and culture with a candid and provocative interview featuring sociologist and author Robin Diangelo, Ph.D. Erik Gensler, president of the digital arts marketing consulting firm Capacity Interactive, discussed white fragility with Dr. Diangelo and why diversity is essential among those who control the arts and entertainment we … Continue reading Exploring “White Fragility” and Why Diversity in the Arts is Essential

Many arts and culture leaders work very hard and are focused on day-to-day operations. But what happens if a key leader chooses to leave the organization? How can you ensure that the organization will continue to fulfill its mission and thrive? How do you assure funders or your board members that your organization is sustainable? I recently had the privilege and pleasure of facilitating a … Continue reading Doing the Tough Work of Succession Planning

This week, Arts & Culture Connections is reposting with permission a blog written by Gary Steuer, President and CEO of the Bonfil-Stanton Foundation. Mr. Steuer’s post advocates for proactive and continuous efforts to mitigate inequities in the arts. It provides a lot of food for thought—from promoting the term ALAANA as a replacement for the phrase “people of color,” and the need for all stakeholders … Continue reading Recognizing Inequities in the Arts and Working to Mitigate Them

I just returned from Zagreb, Croatia, where I conducted a series of audience development workshops at the invitation of Kultura Nova. This organization provides professional training and financial support to arts and culture organizations so that they can better connect with civil society. My experience was another reminder that access to the arts is a global conversation. The make-up of the audiences may vary, depending … Continue reading Access to the Arts is a Global Conversation

I recently had the opportunity to interview the internationally renowned choreographer and dance legend George Faison, Ph.D. Dr. Faison began his career as a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He launched his Broadway career in 1970, with the musical Purlie, and later became the first African-American to receive a Tony Award (1975) for best choreography for his work on the play … Continue reading An Interview with George Faison: Collaboration is the Key to the Future

This week’s Champion of the Arts is Edward S. Holmes, Ph.D., who recently was promoted to the position of Senior Vice President of Equity and Inclusion at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin. A native of Washington, D.C., Dr. Holmes moved to Madison to attend the University of Wisconsin, where he completed his undergraduate degrees in English and Political Science; a Masters … Continue reading An Interview with Dr. Ed Holmes: Providing Arts Opportunities for All People

On the home page of the website of Reggie Van Lee is his favorite quote: “The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you understand why.” A renowned philanthropist and a tireless arts advocate, who also donates his time and expertise to nonprofit organizations, today Reggie is a living example of the “why.” I have known … Continue reading An Interview with Reginald Van Lee: Expanding the Traditional Model of Philanthropy

I recently had the opportunity to revel in “The Art of Optimism,” the focus of TIME Magazine’s special double issue, dated February 18-25, 2019. Edited by award-winning, writer/producer/director Ava DuVernay, this issue is an antidote to the derisive and divisive narrative currently dominating our landscape and a call to both envision and promote the arts “as a weapon for dynamic optimism.” The issue profiles 34 … Continue reading The Arts, Optimism and Imagining What Can Be