To Take Risks, To Reinvent, and To Be in Your Element: Words of Wisdom Before the Arts Presenters Conference

Many in the performing arts and global music fields are preparing for the annual Arts Presenters Conference, January 8-12, 2010 in NYC. The conference theme is "Risk. Opportunity. Now." A speech by Bill Bragin (director of public programs at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; co-director of globalFEST) made a compelling case for the theme at another recent conference. Bragin gave the keynote at September's Performance Arts Exchange entitled "Live and Active Cultures for Healthy Balance." Read the full transcript (PDF) or an excerpt here:

Recently, I saw a talk by Sir Ken Robinson who has written and spoken widely
about diverse forms of creative intelligences. In his latest book The Elements, he describes the point in which natural talent meets personal passion. When people arrive at the element he says they feel most themselves and most inspired and achieve at their highest levels. During these difficult recessionary times, as we all go forward in our work in the performing arts community, we all feel an increasing pressure to be careful, to be conservative and to go with the tried and true. To choose the touring revival of a Broadway hit show from 30 years ago rather than supporting the work of an important new theatrical voice. To bring back the same jazz icon who has been featured successfully in so many previous seasons rather than nurturing the musician who may become the next icon.

To make sure we are getting butts in seats, of course it is essential that we serve our institutions, that we follow sound business practices, and that we make sure we are looking after the interests of the organization that employs us. That said, I want to encourage you all to think about the mission which lies at the center of our work, the mission that inspired me to change my tax return status from music business to arts presenter. In my experience, you can best serve your institution if you look at it as only one of several masters, while also asking other questions: How can my work serve the artists that I collaborate with? How can it serve my audiences? To enlighten, to inspire, to provoke, to entertain, to challenge, to build community? How can it serve the field as a whole? To help it grow or to aid in the evolution of the art form? How can it engage in the world around us and serve the larger social good?

[SNIP] I encourage you to think about these questions and to be bold in your thinking. In your conversations with one another, move beyond asking how we can get through the different times we are facing, and talk instead about how to be creative, to take risks, to reinvent, and to be in your element. Follow the passion and remember what called you into this field in the first place. Full transcript here.

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Comments

[Megan Romer]

I think that in theory, Bill is absolutely correct, and for those of us who have relative artistic freedom, we should consistently heed his points. However, I think a lot of the blame for lack of creativity in programming doesn't go to the presenters themselves; it goes to the boards of directors, the major donors, and the grantmaking agencies that own nearly 100% of the non-commodified/corporatized arts in this country. These people and organizations, most of whom are not artistically-minded, are running the show... what's the best defense for arts presenters who are stuck in markets or venues where that's the case?