We are starting to create a community where arts and culture leaders can “work open” and explore how the values of transparency and collaboration can influence their organizational processes. Image courtesy Erin Brown-John via Flickr. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/OpenWindows.jpg?fit=300%2C197&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/OpenWindows.jpg?fit=640%2C420&ssl=1" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7"/>

Community Call 1: Beginning to Work Open

EmcArts is committing to a “working open” approach and sharing learning about innovation projects in real-time. Last week, we held our first Community Call with a group of arts leaders interested in exploring these ideas together.

My briefing paper for Dinner-vention 2 responds to the topic of “Broken Models: Picking Up the Pieces and Moving Forward.” Image: Internet Archive Book Images/Flickr. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/InternetArchiveBookImages.jpg?fit=300%2C195&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/InternetArchiveBookImages.jpg?fit=640%2C416&ssl=1" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7"/>

We Don’t Need New Models, We Need a New Mindset

I’ll be one of 8 guests at WESTAF’s annual Dinner-vention! In this briefing paper, I share my perspective on how we should talk about broken models.

How do nonprofits approach investing in transformative organizational change? Image by Gérard Beaulieu. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PiggyBanksStacked.png?fit=300%2C196&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PiggyBanksStacked.png?fit=640%2C419&ssl=1" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7"/>

September Topic: How Can Nonprofits Invest in Change?

This month, we’re exploring how nonprofits are using “change capital” to invest in organizational transformation and thrive in the long-term.

In August, we’re exploring how a nonprofit board’s openness to change can cultivate an adaptive organization. Image: EmcArts. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/NAMuseumAirlie.png?fit=300,196&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/NAMuseumAirlie.png?fit=640,419&ssl=1" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7"/>

August Topic: What Does An Adaptive Board Look Like?

How do non-profit boards cultivate an organizational culture that embraces change?

Devon Smith, Shannon Daut, and Aaron Dworkin at the 2014 Americans for the Arts Convention during their debate on “We Should Let Arts Organizations that Don’t Adapt Die.” Photo by Chloe Donaldson. " data-medium-file="https://i2.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ArtsOrgsDebate.jpg?fit=300%2C196&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i2.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ArtsOrgsDebate.jpg?fit=640%2C419&ssl=1" data-lazy-srcset=" ../../artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ArtsOrgsDebate_zoom-2-resize-300-200-ssl-1.jpg 600w" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7"/>

How Should We Talk About Failing Arts Organizations?

In this conversation, Richard Evans and Karina Mangu-Ward of EmcArts discuss some of the key issues stemming from the ongoing conversation about whether or not “we should allow failing arts organizations to die.”

The Columbus Museum of Art is one of many arts organizations experimenting with collaborative approaches to participatory art experiences, such as through their Game Show event. Image: Columbus Museum of Art. " data-medium-file="https://i1.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/cma_game_show_image_683.png?fit=300,196&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i1.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/cma_game_show_image_683.png?fit=640,419&ssl=1" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7"/>

July Topic: Making Art With (Not For) Audiences

How are organizations creating participatory artistic programming through collaborative processes with their audiences?

Organizations like the Music Center in Los Angeles are creating participatory opportunities for individuals of varied cultures, identities, and experiences to create art collaborative. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/JuneTopicFtd.png?fit=300,196&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/JuneTopicFtd.png?fit=640,418&ssl=1" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7"/>

June Topic: How Can Art-Making Foster Collaboration Across Cultures?

How are organizations creating opportunities for individuals with different cultural identities and experiences to collaborate with each other?

Image: Flickr/National Library of Australia. " data-medium-file="https://i1.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Iceberg-NLA.jpg?fit=300%2C196&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i1.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Iceberg-NLA.jpg?fit=640%2C419&ssl=1" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7"/>

May Topic: Building a Culture That Embraces Change

In May, we’re exploring what kinds of organizational cultures support an openness to adaptive change.

As part of this month’s topic, we asked Young Jean Lee about her own artistic practice and what organizations might learn from it. Image: . " data-medium-file="https://i1.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/YoungJeanLeeBio.jpg?fit=300%2C196&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i1.wp.com/www.artsfwd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/YoungJeanLeeBio.jpg?fit=640%2C419&ssl=1" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7"/>

Interview: Young Jean Lee on Experimentation, Failure, and Getting Out of Her Comfort Zone

In this interview, theater writer/director Young Jean Lee reflects on her approach to making new plays and building the best trap for her audience.