It occurred to me today that I didn’t realize when writing my post on Nov 5 commenting on the election, that it was Stick and Drones one year anniversary! I looked back these past few days browsing through some different posts and especially the comments. I can’t tell you how exhilarating the journey has been so far….
Education
Connections
The show that got me hooked on cable TV was called “Connections.” This madman historian, James Burke, produced this fabulous show on science and history that was absolutely riveting. His premise was that history does not proceed in a straight line. So he would talk about one invention and then somehow connect it to something that you wouldn’t believe had any relation to it. It’s hard to describe, but it’s still one of the best shows ever.
Apathetique – The class challenges me!
On Wednesday we discussed the strikes at Shreveport and Wisconsin. My students read the articles and my post and it seems that there is a divide amongst them. There is nothing like lively debate especially amongst future arts administrators who might have to deal with big issues in difficult time such as these! The clips are below….
Arts Funding – Why?…..
In Audience Connection on Wednesday the big question of the week was:
How can you argue for Arts funding in front of someone that might be more interested in Health, Poverty or Education issues?
Big questions need big answers, but when you have 5 minutes in front of a donor to make the case, they can’t be long answers. I liked what Amanda said, the clip is below……
Marketing Managers – Take Note!….
In class last week we discussed marketing to the younger generations. For the those who have read this blog, you will know my feelings on the ridiculous gimmicks and tricks that organizations try to use to get the “young” to concerts. If you don’t know my feelings then click here! My students and I give their take in two clips below…someone airs some frustration, and there are some great ideas particularly with new media….
Challenge = Opportunity: The egg before the chicken! – part 1
We need more donors, a plan to sustain ourselves, get more people involved, brand ourselves, win people over and yadayadayada….When arts groups get together to discuss their ills, lack of support, the community paying no attention to them etc… the argument comes around to forming a plan to turn things around and focusing on what we are not receiving, rather than what we are not giving. A plan for sustainability should start with creating something that is worth sustaining……
Time to reconnect!
This week my Audience Connections class starts up again at Drury University. It looks like I have 6 students and my hope is to use new media to make this a global class literally!….
Sticks and Drones started towards the end of course last year. I incorporated the students into the blog by posting their papers (here and here) and tagging posts that I thought applied to the class and the concept in the Audience Connection category.
The two sides to our “face”…
More and more I read about the new media and the great opportunities they represent for orchestras enabling them to reach many by creating an on-line community of supporters and the potential for personal connections. Not just between the orchestra and their supporters, but between the supporters also. In Springfield we have discussed this without making any firm decisions, and then something wonderful happened, a true audience connection……..