A new year, again

I wonder what is to come for Seattle Arts Organizations this year, actually the arts everywhere. We are in the midst of tough economic times, but the organizations that make it use crisis as an opportunity. The trends I would like to see arts organizations adopt in the upcoming year are:

• Work together. Forge strategic partnerships with other organizations in your area. In November I saw an amazing, and controversial performance in one large performing arts venue, a week later I saw a performance by the same choreographer's protege. What a lost opportunity, for cross-pollinating audiences! As an audience member (at both) my experience could have been enriched, and an important relationship could have been cemented in two regional arts forums.

• Work cross-discipline. Know your neighbors and work together to engage your community. An art gallery and performance space can have some great cross-over.

• Use technology to engage new audiences. Most of the online tools are free- free for anyone to use, so why aren't you using them? Use them well, post often, use multi-media forms, let your audiences engage online without controlling content.

• Make your organizations community spaces. In economic hard times people are looking to connect with their community more, and our art spaces do have the unique opportunity to create that. Be open off hours, invite the community in and open the relationship.

• Engage volunteers and pay them handsomely with your appreciation and sense of belonging. Volunteers are your biggest fans- they can be your greatest resources too, and if you don't know something one of them certainly will.

• And finally, crisis is an opportunity. Use this time to really communicate with your patrons- they are worried too, so ramp up emails/newsletters and blogs.

Happy New Year!