Reality Television and Art School collide

When I was studying fine art at the University of Washington (Proud Alum 2005) I always joked that the personal torture that was the dynamics of 65 people competing for 16 slots then competing against one another for being the smartest, most talents, most avaunt guard or whatever was the making of a reality television show. (Love triangles and backstabbing included). I loved the experience: I am an expert problem solver, can research anything including physics of black holes, representation of females/ by females, can make rather than buy many things (lumber poodle, no joke) and have endured years of critiques to make me acutely self-aware/self-deprecating. I think everyone should have to do a year of art school, really!

And I don't know how I missed this in July- but here it is, art reality shows. Do I think this will benefit art- quality or appreciation? No. I think this will reinforce already negative stereotypes of artists. Do I want more people to see how artists work, not just the Damien Hursts or Andy Warhols but the Kiki Smiths and Uta Barths. I want the practice of art to be more accessible to more, I think Reality Television may hurt the cause.

What do you think?

Competing interests

I am not into the Twilight series- have your pick of reasons why- but so many people are!

‘New Moon’ Takes In $72.7 Million on Opening Day

By THE NEW YORK TIMES

“The Twilight Saga: New Moon” took in $72.7 million in its first day to break the single day domestic box office record previously held by “The Dark Knight,” which had a $67.2 million opening day last year, the Associated Press reports.

How do we court this audience, the tween audience away from mediocre literature, fantasy narratives and arcane gender roles?

I understand the value of good entertainment, I have spent many an afternoon watching dumb movies or trash television but how do we engage these audiences with existing art, that has many of the great qualities of the entertainment genre but actually supports artists, local organizations and promotes personal/ intellectual growth? Can we capture the tween audience without pushing the same product?

Arts organizations are suffering in this economy- why is it that boxoffice records are being broken? Is it just mass appeal, platinum marketing accounts, or is it deeper?

NYTimes article is it about theater or entertainment?

Seattle made the NYTimes spotlight as a "Permanent Theater Festival" in this weeks Escapes section. I view Seattle as a Theater town, I serve on the board of a great local theater. There are many opportunities to see great art here, and it does sway towards performance. One of my reason's for staying in Seattle is the access to the arts.

What concerns me about this article is that it is mostly about entertainment and large venues- when the richness of arts really comes from small companies. When I think of Seattle arts- it is rarely Teatro Zinzani it is the small neighborhood venues and public works supported by the city and county. Also- we have an amazing Ballet and Opera across the street from Teatro. What do you think?

Prepare ye the way for the digital season brochure

Prepare ye the way for the digital season brochure

Posted using ShareThis

A swift kick in the pants

This kick in the pants is not coming from me, but from one of the smartest business/marketing bloggers and book authors I have read. Yes, its Seth Godin- in a great rant about how non-profits need to get with the innovation program, take risks, and yes CHANGE.

*For another perspective check out Beth's Blog- more good points! What do you think?

The problems with a free market economy

Name calling has become pretty standard in politics lately, so I am a little weary of saying anything against a free market society for the sake of some uniformed person calling me a socialist.

This article caught my attention, and pretty much stopped me in my tracks. You see my befuddlement comes in two parts: first) according to a Gallup poll 61 percent of American's do not believe in the theory of evolution and second) US film distributors will not be importing a British made film about Charles Darwin based on the market. CRAZY. A movie about one of the most significant people in our relatively recent history (you know because humans have been around in some form for HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS and the earth itself formed 4.54 BILLION YEARS AGO) to unveil secrets of animal and human life- the evolution thereof.

Whether you believe his theory or not, his scientific theory, inquiry, study, process, published writings have made an impact of how Americans live and view their lives in the context of the rest of the world. The very notions of the 'survival of the fittest' are underlying American values. Yet a film version of this man’s life will not be available in the US because of perceived market.

Is this censorship? A free market economy at its worse?

As far as I see it the issue is that important pieces of work- art and history- will not be shared because someone isn't making a buck. This isn’t a new issue facing the arts or information. Galleries don't necessarily share important work if they won't make money from it, important news doesn't make it to the air (or is hidden in a paper or online) if it doesn't sell ad space. Commerce drives the information we have access to as people, and can become an excuse for censorship. What do you think?

Abstract Art: Making way in the White House

President Obama has made some good progress for the arts in the first 9 months of his presidency: see stimulus package. He can do more, and I am sure he will- once this Health care reform business is on its way into being, the economy is fixed and you know he has resolved two horrific wars. Or shall I say WE- cause after all it takes two to tango- and 51% of the voting public to elect a president.

This could very well be a post about volunteerism- which is more valuable now when more people need- access, educational opportunities, and hope... but it isn't.

This is just a fun blurb about how President Obama is making some changes to the permanent collection of the White House- which has been lacking in modern art- not to mention art made by people other than affluent, old, dead, white men- not that they are bad artists, just not representative of the arts, by any means. OFF THE SOAPBOX. I am excited to share with you this blog post, about what is a big step forward in arts in the white house:

By bringing works by the likes of Diebenkorn, Thomas, and Albers, as well as Jasper
Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, and Louise Nevelson, into the White House, Obama is
symbolically ridding the executive mansion—and, by extension, the U.S.
Presidency—of the xenophobia that has informed the American rejection of
abstraction. Our national fear of abstract art— “I don’t get it”—and the anger
that it can provoke—“You call that art?”—are, at least in large part, vestiges
of the anti-foreigner attitudes of the forties and fifties, which informed those
fundamentalist congressional objections to abstractionism, and gave rise to such
blots on our history as the House Un-American Activities Committee, McCarthyism,
and the electrocution of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg.

Obama’s selections also demonstrate that we are smart enough to “get” abstractionism.
He’s smarter than we are, and more eloquent—and, as a graduate of Columbia and
Harvard Law, as much a member of the Ivy League elite as is President Bush. But
President Obama has repeatedly endeavored to make himself, and even his
heterogeneity, relatable. A person from a blended family, a background colored
by loss, with the problems, struggles, internal conflicts, and flaws familiar to
so many other Americans. Perhaps if one ordinary American is willing to take the
time to appreciate and understand abstraction, the rest of us may find ourselves
inspired to do the same.

Now, doesn't this give you hope that we have a president that will support the arts?

strategy not tacticts

Seth Godin is one of the smartest men who blog, I don't know about him in real life but I enjoy his blog and his books, most significantly Tribes.



To follow up on my post that blogs aren't dead, they are the foundation of your social media strategy- his post today nails on the head why we are more interested in tools/ tactics than we are in strategy.

Most of us are afraid of strategy, because we don't feel confident outlining one unless we're sure it's going to work. And the 'work' part is all tactical, so we focus on that. (Tactics are easy to outline, because we say, "I'm going to post this." If we post it, we succeed. Strategy is scary to outline, because we describe results, not actions, and that means opportunity for failure.)

This is why every organization wants a Facebook page: because every other organization has a Facebook page. A Facebook page might be exactly what you need- but you better have a strategy to manage it, much like the editorial calendar you already have for your blog! But don't go starting a Facebook page until you have a strategy...



If you have a Facebook (twitter, youtube, myspace) page but no strategy- don't delete and start over when you feel like it either- keep doing what you are doing and build and implement a strategy based on what you have learned so far! We are nonprofits, we have budgets, just because these are free tools we have to build these into our existing marketing, fundraising, donor relations, new audience acquisition, board engagement, etc... programing. Your social media strategy should fit your demographic, your mission and vision. You should have measurable goals, a timeline and evaluative mechanisms.



Sorry to burst your bubble, but to do this stuff well you have to think ahead. Nothing is worse than starting something then not engaging with in. The expectation is you are in these spaces, think carefully how you will allocate the resources. And test the waters, thoughtfully making decisions as you learn.

So you think blogs are dead

I had this fascinating conversation with a Seattle nonprofit a week ago, and we were talking about Social Media strategies. You know, being thoughtful and having a plan about how you integrate Social Media into your existing programs and mission for your nonprofit.



First, we have to think of Social Media as something other than a broadcast system. I qualify you- your organization has information and news and content that is of great value to your constituents: your audience, patrons, donors, volunteers, fans, etc... So why aren't you making this information accessible to them? Why are you making them work so hard to love you? Well... get a blog. Get those people who visit your website to get information happy, and keep them coming back by blogging. Arts organizations have an amazing amount of content to share- whether this be events, company news or even community news- be the news source for your followers.



This is in-part what social media is about, adding value and fostering your relationships, but you have to give to get. Make it easy by having a blog on your website. This is where strategy comes in handy: create an editorial calendar and decide what you are going to post, when it will be posted and who is responsible for posting this information!



Next, make it easy for people to share that information, this is where social media really comes in handy. Add a basic share tool to the bottom of your blog, you can do this by entering a simple line of code on your blog, you can get this here. This way people who read your blog can share your information to their social networks.



Yes, of course you are going to want to create your own social networks- but this is a whole strategy we will go over in time. Start blogging!

Arts and Communities

As you may know, I am wrapping up the practicum component of my Masters in the upcoming week, on how arts organizations can and should leverage social media in order to sustain themselves and their communities. I come from the philosophy that art is good for community, good for the individual and (damn it) even good for the economy!



I am apologizing for the last time about my lean posts here- I here by swear I will make it my priority to push all the energy I have spent writing a manifesto into this here blog (as well as my other pursuits). The thing about blogging is, there is more than enough information to share; it is my goal to distill this information in a way that adds value to your life, builds a collective knowledge base, and eventually can be a cornerstone of a community of highly engaged arts professionals. Right? So taking time to find and share quality information regularly is the goal.



To kick this off, please consider joining me on Wednesday August 12th, Balagan Theatre @6:30pm as I present my practicum- on how arts organizations can leverage social media strategically. My very brief presentation will be followed up by a panel of 5 very smart and dedicated arts professionals who use social media for their arts organizations. There will be a cash bar and plenty of opportunities to network.



In the mean time check out this awesome article I found about a month ago on social networked arts communities.

What the F**K is Social Media: One Year Later

Here is the more up to date presentation. The numbers shock me- but the opening slide comparing social media to teenage sex- cause everyone is doing it is one of the biggest problems I face. Just because everyone has a facebook page doesn't mean its the right strategy for your organization.

What the F**K is Social Media: One Year Later

View more documents from Marta Kagan.

What The F**K is Social Media?

If you can see this you are the audience... This is a presentation that is the surface of social media... to actually do this for clients it's much more strategic, with less profanity. Just be shocked at how pervasive social media is, I dare you!

What The F**K is Social Media?

View more documents from Marta Kagan.

arts: its not glamorous, but you should still get paid

This is an issue close to my heart... Artists deserve to make a living wage for their art. It costs money to produce art, it takes time, training and skill. For corporations to approach artists to present their art for free is grotesque. Now- I give art away all the time- for auctions, for gifts- the same way I end up giving advice to friends for their nonprofits, and the theatre I volunteer for is an all volunteer staff... this is totally normal in the arts.

Do we deserve the tax write off or the stipends we get- yes. Does this dictate the work we do to support our passions- no. But artists should not be expected to give private industry or friends and family free or reduced cost on their items- otherwise we will never make it our livelihood. Rant inspired by Internet behemoth Google... Read about the debate here and here.

Note- when I say living wage we are a far way from it- musicians, artists and performers are all included and make relatively little compared to the cost of creating their art0 say nothing of the value. ArtistTrust has some good programs to help get artist's health care and manage businesses. If art is such an important part of our lives and culture why do we refuse to take care of our artists, our musicians and our nonprofit workers making it all happen?

Twitter tools

If you are overwhelmed by twitter, don't check out this article.

Scalable success

Seth Godin has a great post today about the size of companies- smaller sometimes more appropriate for businesses. Have some organizations grown beyond their capacity? Is scalability a good mark of a successful, efficient organization?

Annual Museum Section of the NYTimes

My favorite annual edition in the NYTimes is the Museum's section... Go figure?! The articles this year are especially poignant in lean times- when many museums really have the opportunity to engage with their audiences, create open-community spaces and think outside the box in terms of programming.

Speaking of lean times, apologies on lean posts. Been busy, and though this is no excuse for a blogger that espouses about quality and regular content... please accept this apology- and the entire museum section of the NYTimes as my excuse until this weekend.

Yours,

Tara

YouTube Symphony winners announced

Still following YouTube Symphony? Check out the winners here...


What do you think about this process? Are there applications for other organizations? Can Carnegie sustain the enthusiasm- and continue this program? or was this a one time deal?

A mini case study in action

The World Science Festival has started a social media barrage to prepare for their annual events... They have been very inactive over the last year; however, I am curious to see how they will utilize their blog, streaming video, facebook, myspace and twitter accounts?

How do you think they are doing?

Tips for artists and organizations to survive the recession

Artist's Magazine has a great article on how to survive the current economic downturn.

Fellow artists and gallery owners share 12 tips for holding your ground during a recession.

Fine art isn’t always easy to sell even when the economy is good. Now with this latest economic downturn, artists everywhere are commiserating about how to ramp up their marketing mojo to help them survive. In some ways it’s not all bad. Crisis is often an opportunity in disguise, challenging artists to focus their energies and to keep at least one eye on the big picture.

(Full disclaimer, the author is my very talented Mother)
Find the entire article here.

Before the other shoe drops

I haven't written much about how nonprofit organizations are handling layoffs- but this blog entry is exemplary of what is happening to many people in industries all over the world, but will probably lead some substantial shifts in arts organizations in this region. Are non-profits bloated, and the layoffs correcting this problem? Do nonprofits need to reevaluate their structures- to still hire and train quality people, pay them a living wage and pay-it forward in their communities? Is the industry as a whole going through a purge- because we only have the highest concentration of arts organizations for a city our size?

I for one, appreciate the value our organizations add to our communities and culture, and want them to be responsible- with regard to their practice of hiring, training and growing dedicated nonprofit workers. I know many people who have quaked about layoffs- and I, myself have not been immune. Let's hope we get through these times, with the strength of communities and reevaluating how we can run strong organizations.

Best of luck!

Follow me while I set up a Social Media Site

All this talk about Social Media/ Networking. Why not get your hands dirty with Ning, a free social networking service? Follow a tutorial and post your page in the comments!


This site will have a full up-and-running Social Media site in the following months, follow me on how I will set this up, real time!

Museums are podcasting

This group is helping museums PodCast- check them out!

On Adaptability

Last night Gmail was down... This happened in the middle of the night here in Seattle, but what happens when the technologies we rely on fail? Well, people all over the world adapted. When email fails, people turned to their facebook and twitter accounts to connect.

This is just a simple example of why we should be using multiple communications streams- sometimes one demographic prefers one channel over another, and sometimes there is a mistake or a failure and we can be adaptive by using another tool. Being flexible and planning to use multiple channels is valuable in any marketing plan.

Professionalizing nonprofit marketing

Nonprofit organizations are amazing hybrids of grassroots organizing, and professional bastions- we truly function somewhere between the two. It is my belief that companies can learn much from how a nonprofit creates a mission and is (hopefully) conscious of mission drift and also looking to a board to be flexible to update the mission as times change. Also, organizations can look to how companies are efficient and proactive with regard to the economic climate, the needs of customers and utilizing tools - in turn much quicker than nonprofits are.

We are at a pivotal moment in time- where this hybrid can serve as a true model for public service and commerce- nonprofits have a value to offer, so perhaps utilizing tools in a similar fashion as corporations could serve as a boon to the industry- rather than tightening down the hatch as most nonprofits are.

How many nonprofits: Have linkedin "company profiles"? Are using networking events to create strategic alliances? Are engaging with tools online to boost volunteerism for their orgs and raising awareness about events, issues, opportunities to engage?

Far be it from me to suggest to just jump online- willy nilly- and create social networks, rather I believe this should be strategic- and manageable. If you are online, with a social media presence you should be updating often, and well! But... how many organizations can manage this additional task? This is a strategic development- to start a twitter or facebook or linked in profile- then not engage is worse than having no online presence at all...

Example- I am "following" multiple arts organizations on twitter and people are not updating! Someone is opening a page, posting twice then they disappear! Social Media is only as good if you are engaging!

Rather than rant- the issue at hand is- Social Media is here to stay. This isn't a passing trend, and is rapidly transforming PR, marketing and advertising for industry. To be relevant nonprofit organizations need to be considering their strategic plans, their marketing objectives and commit to what they can/should do- and do it well. Companies are adjusting their strategies- nonprofits should be on top of this too.

What nonprofits are doing it well? Who is online- and updating their channels? Who is engaging with their patrons, volunteers and donors?

The white noise is deafening

I am sorry I have been negligent in posting items this month- I have been busy working on arts related items, but mostly shuffling personal/ professional obligations. A few (blog related items) up for offer...

I have joined the board for this amazing little theater that can.

I realized I graduate from this Masters program six months sooner than I had anticipated.

I am working with my Dad on some Social Media Marketing and LinkedIn workshops- sign up here for amazing 3 hour workshops about Social Media Marketing and LinkedIn for nonprofit organizations.

I missed a great arts event this week- but suggest you sign up for updates here so you can make the upcoming events.

I have been busy attending different programs, at this theater and this company.

I met with a woman at this amazing organization to get better understanding of how a large institution uses Social Media Marketing, and was incredibly impressed by their comprehensive marketing strategy.

And, and I working on awareness campaign recommendations for this organization.

Follow me on twitter here.

My schedule is going to become more regular soon enough, and will be working to post everyday again!

What are you up to for arts, nonprofits, with social media marketing?
Any new tools to share?

Art as stimulus

National Endowment for the Arts gets a cut of the economic stimulus package- after years of cuts this is great news! Read more here. The arts are a vital part of the economy... Now lets stimulate our small not-for-profits! Everyone, go buy a ticket to something! Please!

The inauguration, everywhere...

Cannot get to a television tomorrow morning, or a radio? Use your work computer to live stream the inauguration tomorrow! You can catch it on Twitter, or Flickr or a wide array of Social Media sites. This will be the most widely attended political event (ever) and more people will be able to follow this historical moment in real-time via technology... If you are not a believer in the power of technology and the real impact on our lives, hope your opinion is changing quickly!

Check out the information at the NYTimes Bits Blog.

Americans for the Arts, using Facebook to talk about arts policy

Americans for the Arts is great about using Facebook to get the word out on important Arts Policy issues. Yesterday, I received a simple message and was redirected to their policy suggestions on how the arts can become a part of the economic recovery plan- pretty smart! (This is not an entirely new idea, artists were very involved in the economic recovery program at the end of the Great Depression, Wikipedia has some information here).

Americans for the Arts released its policy recommendations to President-elect Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress, as they begin consideration of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. The nine recommendations detail how existing federal programs, as well as new proposals, can provide critical support to the country’s arts, as well as economic infrastructure.

Go Americans for the Arts! They are harnessing the power of Social Networks, to access a demographic at the right moment of engagement, and inform people about the issues using new platforms!

Need a study to tell you why your organization needs a social networking presence?

I am working on a presentation, as I mentioned Monday, and I am using the Pew Internet and American Life Project findings to present some information. There are multiple studies on who is using the internets (and other technologies) at an increased rate, and how. If you are interested, you can check out the studies here.

The share of adult internet users who have a profile on an online social network site has more than quadrupled in the past four years -- from 8% in 2005 to 35% now, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project's December 2008 tracking survey.

Making a case for the arts

Penelope Burk's Blog has it, the quintessential case for the arts. Read the whole blog here.

Here is the final statement she makes:

The case for the arts exists on its own merit. It is not apologetic; it does not take a second place to healthcare or human services or education. The arts are as vital to life as breathing, food, shelter and health. If you work in development in the arts, please give yourself the right to break out, the commitment to not compromise, and the inspiration to capture the essence of what the playwright, the composer, the choreographer, the painter and the author are trying to communicate about the human condition.

What the arts can offer now, in a world full of anxiety and trouble, is even more vital.

Though art forms may be different, arts are vital to the human spirit- anyone involved in the arts can say that- we were either saved by expressing ourselves, or a glimpse into an other's expression. Especially in times of uncertainty, all arts are vital to inspire, encourage, reaffirm and simply feel alive. Making the case is difficult and essential. Anyone have a favorite case for an arts organization they can share? Comments are always open.

Lots of updates, not much context

As the title states, here is a list of relevant items for a Monday.

I am in the midst of some very interesting (and blog relevant) classes for my Masters program. Arts Marketing and Law and the Arts- both have very important roles in online media, they will be regular source of questions and findings over the next few months.

Tonight I am going to an awesome happy hour with friends and arts administrators, here.

I spent a good portion of the day with one of my life-long teachers working on a presentation for this conference.

I am developing both my photography website here, and more to come for this blog soon.

I am also in the midst of researching the latest news about the Seattle Post Intelligencer pending sale, and more on the trends for print publications around the country. If anything, this is an argument for us to step up and start considering our online media platforms, build our communications strategies and update how we consider PR. I have many concerns regarding the news media, and their present situations, more to come out in the next few days.

Have a great Monday and more tomorrow!

Tara

Hold please, City of Seattle podcasts local music makers while you wait

City of Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs is doing pretty innovative things... check this out from the latest newsletter:

City seeks music for phone lines, podcast

The Office is seeking a broad selection of locally-produced music for Seattle OnHold. This innovative program treats callers to local music when they call the city and are placed on hold. More than 10,000 city phone lines feature the music. OnHold also offers a free local music podcast. Listeners can buy music via iTunes, CD Baby and Amazon.com and link to featured musician's Web sites and concert calendars on the OnHold Web site.

To be considered in the next OnHold review cycle, submit an application by Jan. 27. For information on how to apply, visit the OnHold Web site. You can also suggest a band.

Get the podcast, and tell your friends. Or get friendly at the OnHold MySpace page.

Go city of Seattle! The city has actually embraced technology in some really neat ways, more to come- and I will start an events calendar soon!



Special SHOUT OUT to Picoso- awesome music, fun to dance to (and I grew up with the percussionist's wife- since 1st grade and lived with her in college- yeah Seattle's small, and friendship is long)!

New meaning to the craft circle

One topic I wasn't expecting to get into very much on this blog- but is of great interest to me is crafting. I am an avid crafter, especially knitting. The craft communities online are amazingly well connected and willing to share ideas. The blogroll of craft sites I frequent is too long, and not necessarily relevant to the interests on this blog- but I have come across a social networking site for knitters. Crafting is traditionally social; women groups have used craft for years to create community, and fashion pretty and useful items for the home.

Over the past few years craft has made its way back into the mainstream. Etsy.com is a wonderful source for artisans to connect with customers as an online flea market. Craft magazine has an RSS feed of unique and easy projects. Crafters can now learn everything online, from a new stitch, to altering a pattern, reviews of the best sewing machines and even how to take the best product photographs for Internet sales. Crafters are on Facebook, taking the handmade holiday pledge, and Etsy sellers have a group on LinkedIn.

Those crafters are so connected and so handy... I wonder how nonprofit organizations could benefit from so much camaraderie and shared experience. Sure knitting a scarf is different than managing donors and volunteers- but what comes out of sharing and collaboration can be good for everyone!

Have you noticed any other communities online from which the Arts and Nonprofit organizations could look to for some social networking strategies?

Facebook sues power.com

Two articles in the NYtimes bits blog expose facebook this week- the first is facebook's judgement against breast feeders. My sympathy goes out to these women, however, its not the subject of this blog.

The post of interest is Facebook's resistance to power.com. Now, I don't know anything about power.com, YET, but I will be doing my research. I have heard of it, in theory I love the idea of aggregating social networks, making it easier for the end-user, and overall enabling people to really leverage their networks- without taking all their time to do so. I am also wary. So I will be following up, until then check out the article here and the power.com website here.

Henry may be onto something

The Henry Art Gallery, a part of the pristine University of Washington campus has (as deduced from my not-so-scientific research) utilized the Internets in some pretty impressive ways, my most recent indulgence is Henry on YouTube, they have some ok videos and some pretty cool ones, and most importantly they are keeping it up to date. Check out the whole site here. Keep it up Henry!