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Arts and Culture Strategy

Mrs. Russell Willis Taylor and Peter Frumkin

Arts and culture leaders have a tough but rewarding task: creating and leading sustainable organizations that deliver real social value. There is a lot of competition out there. Being an effective leader means constantly adapting, cleverly using the best tools to reach as many people as possible. This course is designed to help leaders at any level do just that.

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Syllabus

Arts and Culture - Value Then, Value Now, Value Tomorrow

We welcome you to this five-unit course with a brief history of the world relative to arts and culture and where we are now. What is the substance of value (objective/subjective) – to whom, for what? What are the essential and timeless issues facing us? How do we connect and interlock mission and value to be supportive, contingent and flexible?

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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Provides value to leaders with varying levels of experience in managing cultural and artistic institutions

Examines the historic evolution of arts and cultural organizations and how value has shifted over time, providing context for decision-making in the present

Emphasizes the importance of understanding the external environment and its impact on arts and cultural organizations

Guides leaders in making meaningful decisions by exploring stakeholder interests and customer needs

Helps leaders build support and legitimacy, ensuring long-term sustainability

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Reviews summary

Practical strategy for arts leaders

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation in arts and culture strategy, providing practical tools and strategies directly applicable to the workplace. Many students found the content immediately useful for developing sustainable organizations. Reviews are largely positive, praising the engaging instructors and relevant material. However, a few reviewers mentioned that the course provides a high-level overview and could benefit from greater depth on specific subjects, suggesting it may be most valuable for those seeking a broad strategic perspective rather than granular tactics.

Lecturers were knowledgeable and insightful.

"The instructors were engaging and brought great insights from their experience."

"Lectures were well-delivered and held my attention throughout the course."

"Found the teaching style very effective; the instructors clearly know their subject."

Excellent overview of core principles and concepts.

"This course provided me with a strong foundation in arts and culture strategy."

"Gave me a clear understanding of the core issues facing the sector and how to approach them strategically."

"An excellent introduction to the field for anyone looking to understand the strategic side of arts management."

Provides useful strategies for real-world work.

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

"Found the course highly relevant, providing strategies for real-world challenges in the arts sector."

"The frameworks presented are incredibly useful for managing arts organizations and implementing change."

Offers broad strategy, sometimes lacks depth.

"Sometimes felt a bit too high-level, wishing for more specific examples or tactical advice."

"Provides a good strategic overview but could use more in-depth coverage on certain management challenges."

"Good foundation, but don't expect deep dives into every topic mentioned."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Arts and Culture Strategy with these activities:

Volunteer for an arts organization

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Gain hands-on experience in the arts field by volunteering your time.

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Find an arts organization to volunteer for
Apply for a volunteer position
Volunteer your time and learn from experienced arts professionals

Read "Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A Practical Guide for Leaders and Boards"

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This book will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to create a strategic plan for your arts organization.

View Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit... on Amazon

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Read the book
Take notes
Answer discussion questions

Review mission and value in the arts

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Review previous course materials on mission and value as these are essential concepts in the arts.

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Read assigned materials
Review notes and any past assignments
Watch video lectures

Five other activities

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Start a blog or website

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Start a blog or website to share your thoughts on the arts and connect with others.

Browse courses on Blogging

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Choose a topic for your blog or website
Create a blog or website
Write and publish your first post

Join a discussion group

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Join a discussion group to connect with other arts leaders and share ideas and best practices.

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Find a discussion group that is relevant to your interests
Introduce yourself to the group and share your experience
Participate in discussions and share your thoughts and ideas

Attend arts events and meetups

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Connect with other arts professionals and learn about new trends in the field.

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Find arts events and meetups in your area
Attend events and meet new people
Exchange contact information and follow up

Mentor an emerging arts leader

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Share your knowledge and experience by mentoring an emerging arts leader.

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Find a mentee who is interested in your area of expertise
Meet with your mentee regularly to provide guidance and support
Share your knowledge and experience with your mentee

Write a case study

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Write a case study on a successful arts organization that you admire.

Browse courses on Case study

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Choose an arts organization to write about
Research the organization's history, mission, and programs
Interview key staff members
Write a case study that highlights the organization's success

Career center

Learners who complete Arts and Culture Strategy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Arts Administrator

Arts Administrators plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of public or private nonprofit arts organizations, such as museums, theaters, dance companies, and music groups. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Arts Administrators to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and lead arts organizations, including strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, and audience development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Administrator

Curator

Curators plan and stage art exhibitions for museums, galleries, or other institutions. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Curators to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and curate art collections, including exhibition design, collection management, and public outreach.

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Development Officer

Development Officers raise funds for nonprofit organizations, such as arts and cultural institutions. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Development Officers to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively solicit and manage donations, including grant writing, donor cultivation, and campaign management.

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Executive Director

Executive Directors provide overall leadership and management for nonprofit organizations, including arts and cultural institutions. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Executive Directors to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively lead and manage arts organizations, including strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, and audience development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Executive Director

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of nonprofit organizations, including arts and cultural institutions. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Nonprofit Managers to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and lead nonprofit organizations, including budgeting, human resources, and strategic planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Performing Arts Manager

Performing Arts Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of performing arts organizations, such as theaters, dance companies, and music groups. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Performing Arts Managers to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and lead arts organizations, including strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, and audience development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Performing Arts Manager

Program Manager

Program Managers plan, develop, and implement programs for nonprofit organizations, including arts and cultural institutions. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Program Managers to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and implement arts and cultural programs, including curriculum development, program evaluation, and public outreach.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers develop and implement public relations campaigns for organizations, including arts and cultural institutions. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Public Relations Managers to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and implement public relations campaigns, including media relations, social media marketing, and community outreach.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Museum Educator

Museum Educators develop and deliver educational programs for museums and other cultural institutions. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Museum Educators to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively engage and educate audiences, including curriculum development, lesson planning, and public speaking.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects, including arts and culture. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Teachers to develop an understanding of the role of arts and culture in education, as well as the teaching methods that can be used to engage and educate students in arts and cultural subjects.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct research on a variety of topics, including arts and culture. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Researchers to develop an understanding of the role of arts and culture in society, as well as the research methods that can be used to study arts and cultural activities.

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Social Impact Analyst

Social Impact Analysts measure and evaluate the impact of social programs, including arts and cultural programs. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Social Impact Analysts to develop an understanding of the role of arts and culture in society, as well as the research methods that can be used to measure and evaluate the impact of arts and cultural activities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Impact Analyst

Cultural Anthropologist

Cultural Anthropologists study the behavior, beliefs, and languages of human societies, past and present. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Cultural Anthropologists to develop an understanding of how culture influences the development and implementation of arts and cultural programs.

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Writer

Writers create written content for a variety of purposes, including articles, books, and scripts. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Writers to develop an understanding of the role of arts and culture in society, as well as the writing skills that can be used to effectively communicate about arts and cultural topics.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on public policy issues, including arts and culture policy. An Arts and Culture Strategy course may be useful to Policy Analysts to develop an understanding of the role of arts and culture in society, as well as the policy levers that can be used to support and promote arts and cultural activities.

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Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Arts and Culture Strategy.

The Art of Relevance

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Based on research and case studies, this book explores how arts and culture organizations can become more relevant to their communities by engaging audiences in meaningful ways.

Arts and Culture Strategy

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical strategy for arts leaders

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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