Kaiser's tour winds down

I've talked about Kennedy Center president Michael Kaiser a number of times on this blog. An update on Michael Kaiser's Arts In Crisis program appeared today in the NY Times. Since starting last year Kaiser has visited all 50 states and has had more than 800 groups apply for his free counseling. He'll finish his tour of arts groups later in July.

More info from the article is here.

Kaiser's website for the program, is artsincrisis.org

Michael Kaiser

Earlier this year I wrote a post about the Kennedy Center's Arts in Crisis initiative, spearheaded by their president Michael Kaiser.

I recently ran across this video of Kaiser presenting at MIT's Sloan Management school two years ago. It's a great case study of his work with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre. The video is nearly an hour but if you have just 10 minutes, start in at the 16:00 mark to get some of the best parts of the turnaround story.

Arts in Crisis

"...marketing is the only way to grow an audience."

Michael M. Kaiser, President Kennedy Center

I believe that quote that should be pasted in big bold letters on the wall of every arts organization in the country.

Three months ago Mr. Kaiser announced the creation of Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative.  Through the program, Kaiser and other executive staff members at the Kennedy Center are providing free consultations to arts organizations around the country.  

The Sacramento Philharmonic is participating in the initiative and they're hearing very clearly that Kaiser is not in favor of putting marketing budgets on the chopping block.  Here's an article that appeared yesterday in the Sacramento Bee "Don't sacrifice marketing, expert warns arts groups".

Mr. Kaiser's remarks resonated deeply with me.  Yes, we need to be prudent.  Yes, we need to stretch marketing dollars.  But if we allow our offerings to disappear from public view because we don't promote them, we are assuring that our audiences will disappear as well.

If you'd like to know more about the Kennedy Center initiative the website is www.artsincrisis.org.  Or read one of the following articles:

Kennedy Center Crisis Counselor - The Washington Post

Kennedy Center Offers Help to Arts Groups - The New York Times

Performing Arts Struggle Under Crisis - Variety