Thank you to all who attended the Crisis & Opportunity open meeting on June 7th. We were pleased that so many of you took the time to gather with us for discussion.

After opening remarks and framing, and an uncomfortable silence, a conversation began. We soon became aware that the level of specificity and personalization we expected would not emerge, but what did emerge was a clear direction for future topics for discussion.   We began the conversation about what we can do as an arts community to further our aims collectively and proactively.  Instead of dwelling on recent events, and talking about what’s been going on, we acknowledged that the state of our arts is less than desirable, and instead tried to focus on where we go from here.

Points were made and questions posed as the conversations picked up, such as the nature of the nonprofit model, and how it could be outdated, how business and sustainability should be more of a priority, the notion of not dwelling on mistakes–a theme the evening certainly highlighted–and instead move forward together after learning from them quickly, and emphasizing communication between groups as well as collaboration, mentorship, and innovation.

Moreover, there was a prevailing sense that participants appreciated the opportunity to speak with their peers more directly—that night and ongoing. This was apparent not only in the attendance, but in the level of emphatic speaking and specifically in many comments/questions posed. Organizations big and small referenced a feeling of isolation as they navigated the economy and its many challenges.

We acknowledge that the forum was perhaps too open in that many participants left feeling the topics of the moment weren’t addressed. We had hoped people would bring up topics that mattered to them, and we did not want to call anyone out. Still, it seemed that the large forum left some feeling too vulnerable to share. We will explore formats that might better suit a discussion of crisis.

After reviewing and listening to feedback we heard that some attendees wanted an action-oriented outcome from this meeting.  We hope to take the main points and questions from this initial meeting to do just that.  On July 28th, we will host a follow up meeting at the MACC to discuss one or all of these three topics:

What is the future of the nonprofit model?

• Why do we exist and who is our community and our audience and who are we?
• Is there a natural Life Cycle for NPOs?
• Is the 501 (c) 3 model flexible enough? Too antiquated?
• What are we doing right?
• LC3 Model
• Are there too many conflicting interests on boards/serving on too many?

Innovation and Collaborations are necessary to stay afloat

• Talking is the first step
• Become business-savvy or find those that are
• Can larger orgs. take smaller ones under their wings/mentor
• Can we learn from other arts organizations
• Important to know what other artists and orgs are doing/be aware of surroundings/overlap
• Sustainability and Change
• Sharing resources
• Resource: Greenlights
• Creating a think tank

Cultural Planning

• Engaging the arts in all aspects of the city through public/private partnerships
• ImagineAustin
• CreateAustin
• Platform for news where artists and supporters can share and communicate?
• Can we create a different brand for Austin besides “Live Music Capitol”?

We are currently planning for the next meeting, and are considering formats and content.  We welcome suggestions and feedback in this process.  Again, thank you for your participation in this discussion and we look forward to seeing and hearing from you on July 28th at the Mexican American Cultural Center.

The Austin Creative Alliance staff and board.

Crisis and Opportunity Forum Notes 6/7

· What are your needs?
o In a state of crisis, to what degree do your supporters have a right to know what is
going on? Is there a balance?
o How should organizations address splits in board directions?
o The importance of conversing and moving on
o Split direction in boards
§ ex: Tylenol admitting mistakes to public: taking responsibility
§ ex: Alamo Drafthouse: don’t back down, stay true to your image

· What are good ways to communicate information about events, discussions, etc?

· What is the future of nonprofits?

o 950+ nonprofits in Austin

o Too many conflicting interests on boards

o Is the current system antiquated?

§ New models: LC3 = low profit that blends for and nonprofit models into one. Get tax breaks.

· What do we do with the old systems?

o Hesitancy to expose our vulnerabilities

o Current model forces you into hiding vulnerabilities

o Can we come up with something different that makes $, need think tank/volunteers

· Be willing to become business-savvy or find those that are

o Solutions:

§ Sharing what we’re good at

§ Efficiency in fulfilling mission

§ Connecting science and math education with arts education

· Why do we exist and who is our community and our audience, and who are we?

· How we communicate the importance of contributions needs to change.
• Hiding what you need v. begging with everyone else/ how to differentiate

· Talking is the first step

o Some organizations are screaming for help while others fear vulnerability

o Lack of generosity toward people who are honest and ask for help

o Organizations are being transparent, but are ignored

o ex) big corporations that stick with their goals through crisis

o How one asks for help makes a difference

§ Implement grant writing tutorials/ create connections to experience orgs

o Asking on a national level

o Know with who, what and where to apply

o Difficulty in sharing these life skills

o By giving a donor the opportunity to help someone, it helps everyone.

· Can larger orgs. take smaller ones under their wings?

o ticketing and services

o renting and offering performance/exhibition space

o cross-promotion

o resource: greenlights.org

· Important to know what other artists and orgs are doing/be aware of surroundings

· Is there a natural life cycle for arts nonprofits?

o Reflection and change

· Technique: showing the after instead of the before

o ex) hospital commercial/marketing

o ex)kickstart – a way to donate to a cause/movement/project you believe in

· Cultural Planning

o Engaging the arts in all aspects of the city through private and public partnerships

o Imagine Austin

· Innovations and collaborations are necessary to stay afloat.
· We can learn from other non-arts organizations?
o Integration and collaboration of similar organizations
· It’s difficult to put a dollar sign on the value of the arts.
o Are we too focused on the economic value?
o Importance of ethics in supporting artists and supporting quality
o Get involved with Cultural Data Project by the Pew Trust
§ Generates a report for a city
§ Measures value and impact
§ With the results, PA was able to increase patronage and impact
· Sustainability and Change

o Utilize social media

o Creative economies

§ What do these things mean?

o Supporters want to be in the conversation and see where their money is going
§ Specifications of what donations are being used for via social media
o Is the 501(c)3 model flexible enough?

· Jane Jacobs Systems of Survival:

o 2 syndromes=

§ 1. Guardian Syndrome – obedient, disciplined, respects loyalty, ostentatious, exclusive, treasures honor, hierarchical

§ 2. Commerce Syndrome – supports competition, collaborates, invests, optimistic, honest, innovative

· Are we oppressing ourselves in either of these models?

· What are we doing right?

o Are abstract models too complicated?

· Can we create a venue for news where artists and supporters can share and communicate?

o Culture map – an online publication for the arts in Austin, previously in Houston

o Can we create a different brand besides the “Live Music Capitol”?