The role of a chief executive officer (CEO) of a nonprofit organization is challenging in very interesting ways. We are asked to lead an organization without actually being the leadership or governing entity of the organization. We are asked to be visionaries and managers, transformational and transactional leaders at the same time.
Grantmakers in the Arts
by Abigail
Registration is still open for GIA's inaugural 2012 Web Conference, kicking off tomorrow, February 7 at 11:00 PST, 2:00 EST. Demographics, Equity, and the Arts is Manuel Pastor's reprisal of his crowd-pleasing 2011 GIA Conference keynote in San Francisco, revised and updated to include non-California-specific data.
by Steve
From Diane Ragsdale on her Jumper blog:
While it may make everyone feel better in the short term is it possible this tendency to make it appear that donor gifts (large and small) can accomplish far more than is realistic has long term negative impacts on the organization and its relationship with its donors and the community-at-large? Is it possible we avoid telling the real truth because we don’t want to confront or invite others to look to closely at the total cost of ownership of our buildings, or the real costs of running our institutions and particular programs, or how much and how little (relatively speaking) is spent on various areas of operation and resources?
by Steve
Here is a video presentation from the Future of Music Coalition's Kristin Thomson at midem 2012. It's a “first look” at FMC's survey of 5,000 US artists about where their revenues come from.
by Steve
A Q&A with John Maeda, president, Rhode Island School of Design from Molly Petrilla at Smart Planet:
While some have touted science, technology, engineering and math (often shortened to “STEM”) as the foundations for a high-achieving country, John Maeda believes that true innovation requires an additional letter—an “A” for art and design. Since becoming president of the Rhode Island School of Design in 2008, Maeda has championed a “STEM to STEAM” movement in education and research. He recently spoke with me about what he’s accomplished so far, what still lies ahead and why Apple is the best example of STEAM at work. Here are some of the highlights from our conversation.
by Steve
How Do We Engage the Next Generation of Arts Lovers? A recent series of studies supported by The Wallace Foundation offers some “21st century answers.” For arts organizations nationwide, the challenge has been engaging new and younger audiences without alienating loyal and likely older constituencies. The new studies offer findings showing that bridging both groups may not be as divergent as feared:
by Steve
From Nick Rabkin for The Huffington Post:
The practice of teachers in classrooms is what matters most when it comes to students learning in school. The principle strategies of school reform — 'higher' standards, school and teacher 'accountability', intensified testing, and 'choice' — may affect teacher practice indirectly, but the the relatively poor record of school reform over the last three decades, especially in schools serving low-income students, suggests that those strategies are of no great consequence to the quality of teaching. They may even be counterproductive.
by Abigail
New on the GIA website: The 2012 Web Conference Series schedule. This year's lineup of arts philanthropy leaders and innovators will address key topics of interest to arts grantmakers, including arts and health, arts journalism, and GIA's new Arts Education Funders' Coalition. Read about the presentations and register here. As always, all Web Conferences are free to GIA members.