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The Arts are important...

Full Halls in Finland We’re excited to announce the launch of the "Full Halls in Finland" project, sponsored by NextGenerationEU. Beginning on August 20, 2024, this initiative will implement StillArt’s Discovery Program and Subscription Builder methodologies across Finnish orchestras, theaters, and other performing arts organizations. "Full Halls in Finland" aims to boost audience engagement, stabilize operations, and foster greater artistic freedom. As mentioned on the NextGenerationEU website: "NextGenerationEU is more than a recovery plan – it is a once in a lifetime chance to emerge stronger from the pandemic, transform our economies and societies, and design a Europe that works for everyone." With StillArt’s proven track record of helping performing arts organizations consistently sell out entire seasons, we’re not just filling seats—we contribute to create sustainability for the arts in Finland and beyond. #FullHallsinFinland #NextGenerationEU #StillArt

"Chicago is a hub for creative incubation, and neighborhood-based small arts organizations are the spark for the city's artistic innovation, daring, and breadth of arts.." Interested in learning more about the Artistic Vitality program at the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation? Chicago's Artistic Vitality Program Director Ellen Placey Wadey and I recently sat down to discuss the program and why small arts organizations are so important. Check out the article!

Check out my most recent blog post! The performing arts are ever-changing, and staying ahead of the latest trends is a constant battle. So, how are students, leaders, and directors navigating this ongoing evolution? Discover how marching bands are transforming into the ensembles we see today: https://lnkd.in/eGdN7TaC

Scientists are artists. The Universe's laws are the colors with which they paint, physical material manipulation is capable of defying the limitations of social silos and elevating above technical genres towards human achievement and common experience.  The courage that this artist displays on the world stage, the audacity of reinterpreting something that was already great, is a masterclass in truthful expression, personal passion, fire and hence acceptance... this is the stuff of leadership. Watch the entire thing loudly. https://lnkd.in/giR2uV6F

"Ironically, in a changing world, playing it safe is one of the riskiest things you can do." - Reid Hoffman, Entrepreneur When the Impressionist artists who are household names today (Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, etc..) held their first exhibition in Paris in 1874, they lost money and the public “felt that the Impressionist paintings were vulgar and shapeless rough sketches and thus took to making fun of the movement and its works.” There are lots of stories like these where innovators were ridiculed or ignored, mostly because people have a tendency to be risk adverse and uncomfortable when it comes to change – and really, you can’t blame them. Change – especially bold change is uncomfortable – not to mention scary (yes AI – talking about you). But playing it safe and fearing change stifles innovation and creativity, and that’s scary too – especially when it comes to new technologies (still talking about you AI), and culture. This video by the multi-talented entertainer Tim Minchin celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the iconic Sydney Opera House is beautiful, funny, clever, and powerful – and the song is kind of catchy too. I think the video will make you think about the virtues of staying true to your vision, or at the very least make you want to book a flight to Sydney to see in person what refusing to play it safe looks like... #change #innovation #modernITleader

Usher is not just a legend—he’s a global force in entertainment. For nearly three decades, he’s not only redefined R&B but reshaped the cultural landscape, constantly evolving while staying rooted in his undeniable artistry. From headlining the most-watched Super Bowl Halftime Show in history to his electrifying world tour and timeless music, Usher continues to push the boundaries of performance, creativity, and influence. As a visionary, he’s proven that legacy is built not just in music, but in uplifting the next generation through his New Look Foundation and his relentless commitment to excellence. Usher’s impact is a blueprint for what it means to be an icon in the modern world: ever-evolving, globally influential, and forever shaping the culture. This is what it means to be the 2024 #EBONYPower100 Global Visionary of the Year. This is Usher. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eN7GA4wC

It's no question that the most memorable visual spectacles come from the brightest, most vibrantly displayed colors. Colors influence the audience’s reaction and how the connection they have to what they see on-screen. 🌈 So, where does Rec .2020 come into play? What is it exactly? 🤔 Find out in the latest #ChristieSpotlight article. https://ow.ly/mNVe50R05aq

Embracing the present has its merits; the convergence of past and present can complicate matters. Each moment is a nexus where individual perspectives intersect. Crafting these tracks sparks intriguing thoughts. What are your reflections? https://lnkd.in/eyS4wZym

On this episode of Arts Engines, Aaron Dworkin speaks with Alex Laing, President and Artistic Director of Gateways Music Festival, Inc., and 2018 recipient of the Sphinx Organization's Medal of Excellence. Together, they explore Gateways’ historic programming and Laing’s approach to leadership in this era for the arts. "It's possible," Laing reminds us—a simple yet motivating statement. His words resonate with the relentless effort that defines life as an artist, arts administrator, or simply someone striving for growth. Whether practicing for the next gig, crafting a grant narrative, or committing to personal well-being, the work is ever-present. As "The Good Place" (yes, please watch!) tells us, life’s value lies in the effort we put into it. Laing’s perspective underscores the importance of effort and belief: while we can't always predict when or how our goals will manifest, the act of striving shapes not only our outcomes but also the world around us. For me, this is a call to hope—that my work might contribute to a better future, even if its full impact unfolds beyond my lifetime. Laing also reflects on the unique joys and challenges of being both a performer and an administrator. Artists navigate cycles of creation and reinvention, often contending with societal stereotypes like the “starving artist.” Administrators, on the other hand, grapple with bureaucracy and the long timelines of institutional change. Yet, finding joy in these paths is part of the journey—a joy that fuels progress and creativity alike. As more musicians of the global majority enter the U.S. arts and culture sector, the question becomes: how can artists, administrators, and organizations support this transformative moment? Progress is happening, but true change demands a collective effort to shift the dominant cultural frameworks. It requires us to believe, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Brené Brown might put it, in the power of interconnected liberation: “There is no us versus them—only us.” Laing acknowledges that tough days are inevitable, but it’s how we respond that truly matters. For him, the future is full of possibilities, shaped by many ways forward. #Arts #Culture #Music #Programming #NonprofitLeadership #Future #Mindfulness #Equity #Inspiration