How is the Economy Impacting You?

OK, so I am dutifully posting here at Arts Spot.... thanks toSusan DePlessis for setting this up - I think it could be incredibly useful if we all get into the habit of using it... that's the key, of course. So, here goes.


Here in Spartanburg we have not been immune from the impact of the economic downturn - refer to this article: http://www.goupstate.com/article/20090130/ARTICLES/901301057 for all the gory details. We hate that this has to happen, especially when our partner agencies are struggling to balance their budgets with increased operating costs brought on by their move to the Chapman Cultural Center. However, tough times also can result in new collaboration and new solutions to seemingly unsolveable issues. We are committed to looking at all options for providing support for the cultural sector - marketing assistance, collaborative fundraising calls, etc.

I would be interested to know how others are coping with this disastrous economic climate. Are you taking steps to position your organization for funding from the stimulus package, or the just announced $50 million allocated to the NEA? Let's talk about how we can get some of those funds flowing our way.

I look forward to the discussion!

Perry Mixter
President and COO
The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg

So here we are...

Hello Arts Council Directors!

We've nearly completed the first month of 2009--and what a month it's been. As we all embark on this new year, let's use this blog to have a conversation about the work you do in your community. Here are a couple of questions you might answer to get the conversation started:

1. Think back to the beginning of 2008--a year ago. Are you operating differently? If so, can you share one or two things you are now doing ?

2. Good or bad, share one surprise about your organization's work this fiscal year.

3. What are you most excited about in the coming six months?

Thanks for sharing.

Let's get started....

Greetings!

Why this, why now?

A group of local arts agency (LAA) executive directors gathered Nov. 12, 2008 at a meeting hosted by the SC Arts Commission and the S.C. Arts Alliance. From the enthusiasm expressed there and in the follow-up survey, we've created this blog as a way to stay connected. You can use it as a tool to communicate with your peers in the field and see what's happening in local settings around the state.


Who can participate in this blog? Access to this blog is limited to those persons listed as executive directors of their organizations. You're reading this so you're one of them. As the manager of the blog, I (Susan DuPlessis) want to make sure it is useful to you--so your initial feedback will be important as we consider what elements in this format work for you. Ideas you want to share offline can be communicated via email to me at sduplessis@arts.sc.gov.

More about the special features of this blog:

1. Posts: Please use the posts to communicate with other executive directors.
2. Hot Spot: With the creation of a photo account at Flickr (http://www.flickr.com ) or Picasa (http://picasa.google.com ), we will be able to link to photos of your facility that you want to share with other directors. We've started with the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County since they have a Flickr account. Who will be next? Give me a shout when you create a photo account that we can draw from to upload new photos. The goal is to change it out every two to three weeks. You can reach me via email at sduplessis@arts.sc.gov or by phone at 803-734-8693.

3. Hot Shots: Have you had a great exhibit or performance and want to share some photos? Do you have an artist in your community that we all should know about? Use the "Hot Shots" feature to share a quick sample of the diversity of artists and events in your area. Again, load them up to Flickr or Picasa, add captions so we have some context and alert me. I'll pull the photos down to this site so we can all take a look.

4. Arts Spots Around S.C.: This link will take you to the recently created directory of LAAs. Please take a look at it and let me know (sduplessis@arts.sc.gov) if it is correct or if there is a reason it should not be posted.
5. Other Arts Spots: Do you ever come across an interesting arts organization's web site and wish you could share it with others? Perhaps you run across an article that you think would be especially helpful to others in the field. When that happens, send me an email and I will add the link to the list of "other spots."

6. Featured LAA Web sites: I will randomly choose three or four sites to feature every few weeks. Your organization will be featured in time. If you have a particular reason to share your Web site, contact me.

7. Arts Daily Link: Use this link as a quick reference to see what's happening across the state or in your region.

8. Links to the S.C. Arts Commission Web site and the SC Arts Alliance Web site are provided in the logos at the end of the blogsite.

Again, you can reach me via email at sduplessis@arts.sc.gov.

Let's get started!