Thursday, August 27, 2009

If it's broke, fix it. Recommendations from some savvy arts folks

A gaggle of us formed an ad hoc think tank (action tank!) to deal with the arts and the crazy world at large. Our first public action as the Collective Arts Think Tank (CATT) is now live. It is a dense but heartfelt analysis of the field and recommendations for the future. READ IT and don't weep. Comment, percolate, digest, take action, read it again. To whet your appetite, here's one of my favorite parts.

"Most artists and arts professionals do what we do because we love the work. That is, we did not enter the field of contemporary dance, theater and performance art because it offered a stable career, high wages or broad acclaim, although all three would be welcome. We entered it because we felt compelled, driven, liberated, saved, or any combination of the above. That deep sense of calling has also engendered, in some cases, innovative, organic solutions to longstanding shortages and roadblocks, and in other cases counterproductive and damaging habits, practices and mindsets within the field. Following are examples of a few strategies that do work, and a few prevalent notions that we feel are outmoded and unhelpful."

It's already getting comments on CATT and postings on WNYC.

I feel super proud to be a part of Collective Arts Think Tank and our efforts to get things moving in a proactive and positive way. Here't to the future!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Invention on the Horizon

Public Display of Invention
September 21, 2009, 7:30-9:30pm
WNYC's The Greene Space
FREE, RSVP at www.thefield.org

Economic Revitalization for Performing Artists tackles tough economic realities on two fronts: inventive public dialogues and an ambitious entrepreneurial lab. Since 2008, ERPA dialogues have engaged more than 500 artists and cultural stakeholders in topics ranging from alternative fundraising tactics, to the romanticization of the starving artist paradigm, to a smackdown exposé on the ‘new’ economy. Full audio coverage of all ERPA events is available HERE on the blog. (See ERPA Guideposts: Podcasts)

These Invention Sessions helped set the stage for a competitive application process in November 2008, from which seven artists (out of 116 applicants!) were selected to receive cash, tools, and resources from The Field. With the aim to revitalize the economic lives of performing artists, ERPA projects were selected by a panel of arts and business leaders based on their potential impact and replicability.

This fall, after nine months of entrepreneurial investigations, seven artists (dubbed the ‘ERPA 7’) present their models for economic and financial sustainability in a Public Display of Invention. Each artist will have 15 minutes to show off their wares and field questions from a discerning public audience. Join us to witness the fruits of their labor and hear how individual artists and arts organizations plan to revitalize their own economy.

ERPA 7: Kahlil Almustafa, Nick Brooke, Rachel Chavkin/The TEAM, Connie Hall/Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant, JoAnna Mendl Shaw/The Equus Projects, Jon Stancato/Stolen Chair, and Caroline Woolard/Our Goods

Learn more about the ERPA 7 HERE.

This program is presented by The Field as part of the ERPA program, made possible by the NYC Cultural Innovation Fund of The Rockefeller Foundation.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Negotiation is for wusses?

I am not a screamer. But I was just yelling at a man on the phone about his carpet cleaning service! It was horrible, I am still shaking. And all for $50 worth of carpet cleaning.

I want to manage these scenarios better in the future. No screaming matches. But I want to get my way. Can I? I love "I Will Teach You to Be Rich". and his post today is chock full of smart, strategic thinking about negotiation, networking, writing effective emails, and exercise. And with a title like the one he used today, EASY SELL!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

networking schmetworking: high school the musical

Last night I went to a going away party for a well-known local funder. The room was jam packed with many of the VIPs in the arts ecology including funders of all shapes and sizes, presenters, artists and those that love the arts.

I wore my favorite dress, I re-applied my lipstick and I did my networking affirmation "I am confident, charming and articulate."

I walked into the packed room.
I didn't see anyone I immediately recognized.
Slight panic set in.
I tried to look calm and interesting, not socially desperate.
I headed for the bar and I got a white wine to ease the pain (slowly! slowly!)

I saw two of my favorite art stars that I am confident know my name and I headed to them (LESSON = go for some low hanging fruit!) Luckily they opened their backs to me and let me in to their conversation. (Beware the unturned back! It may not open to you!)

With a bit more social confidence under my belt, and a wee buzz of booze, I headed for higher hanging fruit! THE FUNDER WHO SCARES YOU!!

She was in a tight duet conversation. I was grabbed (luckily) by a super savvy colleague who is a masterful networker and she parted the social waters for me (LESSON! make friends with good schmoozers!) She asserted herself into the duet, gracefully reminded the Scary Funder who I was and made an elegant entree for me. (LESSON: have a salient, intriguing fact at your tongue's ready to get conversations going. Know it, believe it. Be generous to others with it!)

Alas, the SCARY FUNDER duet conversation didn't really open up to me and my pal. We all stood there, the four of us, but the duet stayed a duet, and we were left hanging. SOCIAL TERROR! all my high school angst reared up. I am not worthy. I am not popular.

Now, 1) the SCARY FUNDER knows, in her heart of hearts, that her access to money makes her the most tasty apple on the tree. (This truism, I am sure, is both awesome and sad. Do they love me for me? or for my money?)

2) Be gentle with yourself. Don't give up. Remember your worth in the situation. Stay present to the conversation and gently insert yourself when it is appropriate. Also, know when to leave! If they are ignoring you (which could happen!), then excuse yourself politely, and move on.

Numerous times last night I found myself standing solo and looking for my next conversation. I scanned the room, I asked trusted colleagues where so and so was or who was xyz. The ballsy and generous ones (thank you!) escorted me directly to them and paved the way. (Lesson: don't mess up their largesse though! Make the most of it, thank them and return the favor!)

SCARY FUNDER #2: Upon introduction to a generous funder to the arts community, I said something idiotic but heartfelt like, "Thank you for helping so many artists." She nearly kicked my shins. It was very odd. "Oh, I am going to walk away if you say things like that again" she replied. (Lesson ??? Some funders don't want you kissing their arses? Some funders want to just enjoy the party and not be pestered for money all the time? OF COURSE!)

Overall tips for managing this social networking madness:
Be courageous
Have a small glass of wine
Stay present and focused and talk about real things, don't just try and get some $ from some folks.
Have a few good ideas, tidbits, thoughts on your mind.
Ask questions of your conversation partners.
Be real, don't fake it. If you love what you do (and you do!) then let that love and care and curiosity infiltrate your conversations.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant - Where good theater and a good party meet.

My wife Julia and I had the opportunity to support a fellow ERPA winner, Connie Hall of Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant. We did not exactly know what to expect, except that food and theater would be involved. We were blown away. When we got back to our neighborhood and walked down our block, we were still stunned. After the show, we did not know how we would be able to re-integrate back into society.

Although I am supposed to be the poet in the ERPA crew, I must use a cliché to explain Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant: “You have to do it, to get it.” As difficult as it is to put it into words, I will still give it a try. Simply put, Conni’s Avant Garde Restaurant is that juicy, delicious intersection where a good show and a good party meet.
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Hospitality – The host meets you at the door.

From the moment we entered the lobby, we were invited into a world. Our hosts were happy that we came and made sure we had a good time. They let us know we were not audience members, patrons or customers, but honored guests.

Food & Merriment – There is plenty of good food and drink.

Not only did we eat, but we ate well. As soon as we stopped laughing and enjoying a segment of the show we were being fed more than we could eat. Biodegradable plates, bowls and cups rotated with delicious food made with fresh ingredients and prepared with intent and love.

Characters Abound – So many new people to meet.

Everybody was a character: the hosts, the cooks, the bartender, even the members of the audience got to be characters. I was “Dr. Feel Good,” and my wife was “Donna Matrix.” The crew and everyone at our table stayed in character through the whole show and by the end of the show we felt like we were leaving newly made friends.

Community – At some point it turns into one big party.

The Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant crew does a great job of getting the guests to participate in the fun. The people in the lobby and at our table talked and laughed together. It was like being at a great party and a great show at the same time. Warning: Somebody might end up kissing someone they have just met or covered in chocolate, or both.

My only criticism of Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant is that they did not have a big box in the back of the room to drop gifts in when we came in and donations when we left. Thank you to the whole crew for a great show and a great party. I am feeling some serious ERPA pride.

kahlil almustafa recently completed the “100 Poems For 100 Days” project where he wrote 100 poems in the first 100 days of Barack Obama’s presidency. In addition to writing poetry, almustafa also conducted Living Room Readings where he went into people’s homes and had participants to write “Barack Obama Inauguration Speech Remix Poems.” He uses poetry to engage with communities in critical dialogue.

Check out www.kahlilalmustafa.mvmt.com for more info.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Live theater streaming online? do I really want to watch this?

Thanks again and as always to Thomas Cott for pointing this out.

Apparently Pittsburgh beat the theater capital (aka NYC) to the punch and is premiering LIPLO (Live and In Person and Live and Online) in September.

How many folks will log-in to watch?

How many DSLs and T1s will time out and make the action unbearable to watch and the dialogue disjointed?

Will this make folks more likely to go to live theater?
Will it cut into ticket sales for the Company?

Did these guys talk to Chris Anderson about his new book "Free" (see our last post)?
What did we learn from the Met's freebie outdoor Hi-Def movie screenings in NYC last year? and what about TenduTV with its free and paid access to dance video? and MediciTV that streams esteemed music festivals like Verbier for $$$?

Would you watch a live theater show or dance piece on your computer screen? Would you skip the fee-based community experience? Would you invite friends over to sit in your apartment and watch? hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

Tell me!

Monday, August 3, 2009

is free the new black?

I make no bones about how much I love Malcolm Gladwell. I just finished his latest smarty pants book, Outliers, and I am delightfully quaking in my boots about the death of the meritocracy. No spoiler alert here but suffice to say it ain't just hard work my friends. We may anecdotally and intuitively know it, but Mr. Gladwell shows us the proof in the pudding and that America has tons of work to do if we really want to pursue our happiness.

And we artists know it fully well I think. We see folks get grants and gigs and press that don't really "deserve" it. But they get it! What are they doing to get there? Tell me your secrets!! Even at PS122 for the brilliant Neal Medlyn's last sass factor I found myself wondering: how did these folks get to be the anointed hipsters and cultural hotties? Is it the raw pork? it must be the raw pork.

That said, I am way off track here. I wanted to talk about Malcolm's (can I call you Malcolm?) review in the July 6th The New Yorker of Chris Anderson's latest book, Free. To backtrack, for our ERPA grant application last fall, we got dozens of artists applying "to sell videos of their dance or theater work online". Overall the adjudication panel poo pooed this idea: it's gotta be free! no one will BUY your videos! not only does no one know who you are! but if it's on the internet, it's gotta be FREE!"

One of our panelists disagreed heartily and I wonder wonder wonder what he thinks of Free. Do tell! You know who you are!

The New York Times is moving from free to pricey apparently.
Youtube was, rumor has it, going to create a non-free, high-end, curated version of their super site.
The Wall Street Journal is fee-based.
Most artists already do so much for free that we struggle to have a realistic, mature money conversation that includes an honest and respectable fee for your own work! We know free!

What are you doing? What are you selling? What are you giving away? Do tell.

What do you think?