Audio of the Jeremy Nowak speech

An MP3 audio file of the Jeremy Nowak speech from the SFAC convening at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts earlier this year is now available here. It's a large file, so it might take a bit to download.

Arts Forum: the Four Questions

Question 1: How does the economic recession impact you and/or your organization?, generated a variety of responses.

Participants noted that the climate has promoted innovation and creativity in order to complete projects. On the other hand, companies are holding back on the scale of their productions or level of new equipment purchases. Corporate support has also decreased, as companies seek to tighten their reins on budgetary developments.

From the artists’ perspective, there is difficulty. Many artists are either losing leases or being forced into risky live-work situations in order to stay afloat. Teaching artists, usually used to a stronger and livable wage, face significantly decreased job opportunities.

Audience attendance has dived lower than previous years, and total ticket purchases have also declined. It is difficult for the organizations to pinpoint if it was due to their programming or economic conditions. There has been an increased trend towards single ticket sales, as opposed to whole season purchases.

Contributed income has been redistributed under current conditions. Grants have been suddenly re prioritized, with special arts projects they were earmarked for now left in the cold. Due to the ongoing Sacramento budget stalling, cities and counties are losing state of California funding and support, with no guarantee for future assistance. Endowments have dropped in many organizations, some by as much as 50%.

Question 2, What are you doing in response?, generated proactive comments. Several organizations would like to have their senior staff become involved in more policy making decisions and join boards. Many companies would like to reach out more strategically, adding a personal touch to their communications rather than relying on impersonal email or postal mail.

Question 3, What do you need?, focused on objectives required for moving forward. Opinions voiced included a request for one source of information for tourists and the community, further market research on the local community, and again, a need for deeper relationships. Artists would love to have access to affordable live/work space and quality skills development. With those tools in place, the community can be better served to move forward.

Question 4, Possible Solutions, looked at how organizations can use their current resources and the present cultural climate to their advantage. Leaders must stay positive in order to achieve the maximum results. Solutions will come from utilization of pre-existing networks, including artists. A suggestion was made to use more of public spaces, including libraries and open lands. Many organizations desire for President Obama’s stimulus package to include funding for arts assistance, and a guarantee of an arts-focused cabinet secretary. Here in San Francisco, the tourist industry is a valuable connection that may be under-used. Organizations would like to give two free tickets to any tour guides who will refer audience members.

View the complete 26 page report by clicking here. (PDF)

Arts Forum: Group Report #1

Group A, facilitated by Nancy Gonchar of the San Francisco Arts Commission, looked at all four questions. Among their findings related to the impact of the recession were the following:

• Funding is down for grants and ticket sales. This recession restricts entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.
• Tough times make good art. Artists must use a new and determined creative spirit in order to continue to be innovative and proactive.
• Statewide budget cuts are forcing uncertainty in arts education. There is no guarantee that projects or visiting educators will be funded.
• Some theatres have made compromises, such as having smaller productions or fewer technical staff.

The arts workforce employs many individuals who may visit social services if funding and pay is severely reduced. In several instances throughout this conference, artists mentioned that they’d like to have a better understanding of what goes on at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. There are links that are not being cultivated between the artists and their government representatives. However, it is undoubtedly true that this crisis is encouraging artists to be responsible and active for their selves and their communities. Some would like to have links developed between the arts sector and other similar organizations.

A solution to these problems will come from more effective networking within artists groups and communities. Participants were aware of the new potential offered by the changes of the Obama administration, and are eager to further cultivate the possibilities offered by the new leadership. Mention was made of a campaign to hire artists in schools and community centers, which would be an excellent, active first step.

• How do you see these ideas potentially coming to reality?
• How can they/we get started on building further networking alliances?

Arts Forum: Group Report #2

Group B, facilitated by Brad Erickson of Theatre Bay Area, discussed the four questions and came up with equal solutions and commentary. This group had more of a focus on larger organizations and the theatre community as a whole.

The city of Oakland recently canceled a plan to cut funding for their local arts programs and organizations. City leadership was surprised by the large amount of visible support from the community. Members of this group re-iterated the importance of the city having a role in sustaining arts organizations.

The group also recognized that pre-existing networks and structures, such as public library space, volunteer groups, and organizational members, can lead to further support. Individual artists are valued, but the artists themselves can feel isolated from the process. One group member reminded the gathering of the basic principles of human management: The organization and people need to be aligned in order to power your mission.

• How can organizations move forward in development and outreach work in the current economic climate?
  
• Can the internet or other social mediums be used for more effective advocacy, as was the case in Oakland?

View the complete 26 page report by clicking here. (PDF)

Arts Forum: Group Report #3

Group C, facilitated by Rachelle Axel of the San Francisco Arts Commission, included representatives of several mid to large sized Bay Area performing arts groups. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) reported weaker attendance and lower ticket purchasing rates. Berkeley Rep stated that their ticket sales have been steady, but commitments to the School of Theatre and in subscription sales have dropped. Hillbarn Theatre, a smaller organization, reports that their donor conversations have dropped significantly. Hillbarn’s single ticket sales have decreased by 35% since September, 2008, but their subscription rates have been at a six year high in renewals.

A suggestion was made to promote the free days at YBCA. A two-for-one ticket offer could possibly lead to selling more full-priced tickets on an opening or subsequent performance evening. All of the organizational representatives voiced support for cutting things before people, and recognized that keeping a talented and well prepared staffing team is imperative for their success. Berkeley Rep suggested cultivating more links between their productions and current events and trends. If an article has appeared relating to one of their current shows, the theatre will then add it into the playbill.

This group also recognized that younger audiences have great potential for the theatre community. Many have steady jobs and did not see their portfolio decline in the recent turmoil. Others may be willing to contribute in multiple philanthropic levels, such as volunteering work, time donations, and financial assistance.

• How can young audiences be further reached?
  
• Do theatres need to follow the approach of having a youth discount for shows, or is a more active presence in social media a key to finding more audience members?
• Where does word of mouth come in?

View the complete 26 page report by clicking here. (PDF)

Arts Forum: Group Report #4

Group D, led by Ken Foster of YBCA and Judy Nemzoff of the San Francisco Arts Commission, addressed the questions with more in-depth answers. At the time of the meeting, the Magic Theatre’s future was not secure, and several guests voiced concern about any repercussions that might have. While the Magic’s future has since been secured, other theatres have begun to come forward with financial crises that may not be as successfully resolved.

Organizations connected to central San Francisco finances reported that the Mayor has requested a 12 ½ % across the board budget cut. It is unclear how this reduction will affect arts services. One representative of a local arts gallery spoke of a “tanking” arts market and plans to restructure future fairs and sales based on lowered demand. Local representatives and advocates were encouraged to know their supervisors, where they live and how they relate to their local districts.

A representative from The Marsh reported their company to be on solid financial footing. It was suspected that their solid footing was due to their low tickets and lack of salaried staff. Speculation rose about the state of current foundational support. Organizational supporters are aware of the uncertainty plaguing numerous theatre companies, but uncertain as to how to secure their funding for the future.

Lamplighters Music Theatre stated that they had recently completed a successful fundraising campaign. The representative noted that “We focused on what we were able to accomplish in the past year. And we met our goal by staying positive.” Community Music Center in San Francisco had noticed a distinction in their current grant planning efforts. In past years, they’d been able to plan their full year of performances based on a standard grant schedule. But this year, some grants have been delayed, forcing the center to create two schedules based on available or non-available funding. One guest commented that “the San Francisco Arts Commission Individual Artist program is essential to the well-being of the arts ecology. It’s one of the only cities that funds individual artists. I received one (a grant) ten years ago and it’s changed my life.”

This group offered many possibilities in response to the question of What are you doing in response? – Some key points included:

• What organization can advocate for San Francisco as a region?
• Who has connections to deliver that message?
• How is “(economic) stability” determined? What does that mean?
• (We) need deeper relationships. Those with advocates, officers, etc need to go beyond the broad, basic professional contacts into fuller personal connections.
• Local Artists: Where do they live now?, How do they support themselves?, How do we give them jobs?

View the complete 26 page report by clicking here. (PDF)

Arts Forum: Group Report #5

Group E, led by Deborah Cullinan of Intersection for the Arts, consisted of 30+ people. This group specifically focused on impacts of the negative economy on local arts organizations and community members. Many responses echoed the comments of their peers in other groups.

Group members anticipated a 25% cut (minimum) in public funding for the next year. City cuts are expected beginning July 1st. Several organizations are enforcing hiring freezes, making job hunting difficult and limited opportunities for professional growth. Guests wondered what services or offerings could be provided without cash. In multiple instances, audiences are increasing at “free” events.

When considering needs or possible solutions, a possibility arose to create an IDEA MAP connecting organizations. Links could develop between similar programs and resources. Leaders re-iterated that staying positive is important in these tough times. Volunteers are beneficial to organizations’ programs, but may be distracting and time consuming to work with for the professional staff.

Creative approaches to funding and involvement were encouraged. The State of California arts license plate generates $2 million dollars per year in revenue. Programs utilizing performance spaces for multiple purposes are also of benefit to the larger community.

What can make these creative approaches more widespread?

View the complete 26 page report by clicking here. (PDF)

Economic Convening & the Arts in San Francisco

On January 12th, over 300 individuals met at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts for a timely and critical discussion on the economic recession and its impact on the arts community in San Francisco. The event was intended as the first step in a multiple-objective process linking local government, the philanthropic community, businesses, and the general public. The goal of these organizations' collaborative actions is to ensure that the Bay Area’s cultural community survives the current serious economic crisis.

The convening was hosted by San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco Foundation, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Arts Forum SF.

View the complete 26 page report by clicking here. (PDF)

Breakout sessions were organized around four core issues:

1) How does the economic recession impact you and/or your organization?
2) What are you doing in response?
3) What do you need?
4) Possible solutions?

Participants were invited into five breakout groups, and then discussed those questions as they related to their current work conditions.

All guests participated in a Q&A session with Jeremy Nowak, President and CEO of the Philadelphia, PA based company, The Reinvestment Fund. Mr. Nowak was also a keynote speaker at the October, 2008 Grantmakers in the Arts Conference in Atlanta, where he discussed methods for the arts sector to stay financially secure amidst a financial crisis.

Further reports from this event will be posted soon. Please stay tuned!