In This Story
Did you miss the Arts Management at 20: Inspiring Resilience panel last year? If you did, here are the 5 key points that our esteemed speakers highlighted to sustain a future in the arts!
For the Arts Management Program's 20th Anniversary, the program hosted a panel with executive arts leaders. During the panel, the leaders tackled issues surrounding the arts today. From external factors such as funding to internal factors such as resisting change, the arts faces unknowns. Nonetheless, this group of speakers gave valuable insights on how to tackle these challenges. Speakers included:
-
Carla J. Thomas McGinnis – Moderator and Assistant Director of Museum Initiatives at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
-
Cheryl Edwards – Professional Artist whose works center around water and identity
-
Khady Khamara Nunez – Adjunct professor and Former Executive Director of Second Stage Theater (Tony Award® winner, Take Me Out)
-
Mario Garcia Durham – Former President and CEO of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP)
-
Sean O'Connor – National Gallery of Art’s Chief Development Officer
During a time of uncertainty in the arts, speakers engaged in various discussions about sustaining the arts. The 5 key discussion points included:
Collaboration
Speakers highlighted collaboration as an essential tool to sustain the arts. For arts organizations to be successful, Cheryl Edwards and Khady Kamara brought up the idea of partnering with other arts organizations. This idea strengthens securing funds and support for art projects. Examples included university arts programs to partner with business programs or art institutions.
Fundraising
Fundraising is an integral aspect of the arts. It supports not only the organization, but the artists that engage with them. Speakers emphasized the importance of monetary support by audiences for a program. "If people want to participate in [arts and culture], be viewers, they're going to have to help," Cheryl Edwards stated.
Technology
AI, AR, and VR are latest technology that everyone is experimenting with. Carla J. Thomas McGinnis asked, "how should arts organizations incorporate these emerging technology in the arts?" Speakers brought up accepting change and experimenting with the newest technology available. Cheryl Edwards brought up an amazing point that AI is a tool, not a replacement for human creation. Moreover, Khady Khamara Nunez remarked that she experimented in raising money with VR.
Accessibility/Community Engagement
Community engagement is necessary for an arts organizations. Panelists urged for arts organizations to invite different people to join the planning table. Emphasizing the importance of inviting different perspectives from artists and managers. As Khady Khamara Nunez comments, "It's just key to say that if you want to welcome everyone, have that representation at the table as you're thinking of your planning."
Unconventionality/Sustainability
Experiment, experiment, experiment! Figure out how to integrate art where people are at (online or in person). Online provides opportunities for people and communities to access events and programs. Mario Garcia Durham pointed out the value of meeting people where they are such as parks. He noted how arts activities can integrate into a neighborhood.
As highlighted by our admired arts innovators, during difficult times the arts always find a way forward. Whether it's through community, collaboration, or innovation, the arts will always be resilient.
Be sure to check out this panel discussion on Mason Arts Amplified!