Back in 2004, I made an entry on an interview then TCG President Ben Cameron gave on Smart City. In the interview, he talks about a book in which the “the authors noted that historically when there is war, technological change and a shift in rural-urban demographics (Civil War, Depression-WW II, etc) the tendency for the American people is to alter the social compact.”

Given the economic upheaval these days, there seems a possibility of another shift so revisiting the entry seemed in order

I think the topic that Drew McManus wrote on that has excited me most is his docent program. He inspired me so much that my first entry on the topic is pretty long, but full of some great ideas so take the time to read!

One of the articles I loved reading was a Fast Company story about how a Duke University professor takes his class to NYC for a semester to learn the lessons the arts have to teach about leadership. What makes me appreciate the story so much is that the class is a business class. Long has it been said the arts need to learn from business so I think we can all appreciate the reciprocity. Check out my entry for a quick summary and my reflections.

On the question of dumbing down the arts, one entry sticks out in my mind- Ballet of the Speedway. Roanoke Ballet Theatre presented NASCAR Ballet five years ago. I had a number of conversation with arts managers over this–whether it is pandering or a frank acknowledgment that the arts must serve their community. I am still not sure I have a definitive sense of where I stand on this.