Discussion About Surviving During Tough Economic Times

I recently attended Bread, Water, & Art Session: A Regional Discussion About Surviving During Tough Economic Times, which was hosted by the Roxbury Arts Group. This session, part of the NYS ARTS Rural Workshops, brought a number of arts organizations together from Otsego, Delaware, Schoharie, and Sullivan Counties. The meeting was driven by the recent funding cuts and challenges for the local arts sector. The facilitated program identified common assets and challenges, as well as ideas to reduce expenses and increase funding. Here are some ideas from the session.

Common Assets:

• Community
• Staff
• Board
• Reputation
• Longevity
• Location
• Technology
• Transition to business focus

Common Challenges/Issues:

• Funding
• Staff
• Technology
• Board
• Regional challenges (rural area)
• Building/space
• Time commitment
• Competition
• Volunteer support and engagement
• Trying to stretch funds too far

Ideas to reduce expenses:

• Facility downgrade
• Renegotiate rent, propane, utilities, etc
• Staff salary decreases
• Cut marketing/promotions
• Ask staff to reduce time
• Community partnerships/collaborations
• Work more closely with chambers/businesses
• Group purchasing
• Decrease refreshments
• Independent contractors
• Barter
• Transition mail to e-mail communication

Funding strategies

• Silent auction (don't put the value of item)
• Online auction (partner with other arts organizations)
• Membership (differentiate benefits and add other benefits)
• Sponsorship programs
• Facility use/building rentals

Overall, the program resulted in a great first discussion, and the group agreed on some next steps:

• The need to articulate the impact/value of the arts in the community
• Letter to NYSCA/NEA about the need to reform the application process

Want to comment or share your thoughts? Post your reaction or ideas here.