The Art of Being Human
“The most human company wins.”
I’ve been thinking about this Mark Schaefer quote that a trusted arts leader shared with my Columbia Business School class at the beginning of the quarantine. As many arts organizations get their crystal balls out trying to calculate the financial reality of their organization and the employment security of their teams, I also recall a CI to Eye podcast interview with Carnegie Hall’s Sir Clive Gillinson. He talks about the power of asking the right question (vs. having the right answers).
Being human and aligning around the right question. These are two guiding forces that can serve arts organizations for upcoming seasons as we re-think, re-build, and re-invigorate our communities.
Whatever business we are currently in — visual arts, performing arts, or cultural sector — we will play a role in healing and re-centering of our world. In order to be of service to our communities, we can no longer stay at arms length, 6’ feet away, from our patrons. Now is the time to pull from our personal experiences and begin to re-imagine arts offerings that best serve our communities’ needs.
When the bans are lifted, a vaccine is found, and quarantines are no longer being enforced, we will walk out of our homes. We will walk into new realities and in this new normal, we will be forever changed, for the good and the bad.
What will our patron’s need at this time?
How can arts organizations best serve our communities?
Postponing and cancelling arts events for a later date may not be the only option. That season of arts offerings was planned in a different time for a different audience. We have all changed. What do we need now? What can the arts do to meet those needs? What we offer moving forward will look different.
My team at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, New York considered these questions.
There are several themes that emerged for us: SAFETY, SOCIAL and AFFORDABLE. These are the needs of the post-quarantine era. These are the themes that we as arts organizations should use as we re-contruct our offerings.
What role can we play in collective healing and re-orientation?
How will we re-design our concerts and arts experience to address these themes and our patron’s needs?
Can we re-think capacity?
Can we take extra measures to create a hygienically safe space and share these efforts with our patrons?
Can we rethink live performances?
Can we collaborate with other arts organizations and combine resources?
Can we use technology in more intimate venues and create flexible seating options?
Can we re-invent ticket refund policies so patrons can give themselves art without worry?
Can we reward patrons who donate tickets back?
For those of us with unusual venues, can we use our outdoor space and curate more open air experiences to create safety and respect the need for social distancing?
How do we re-imagine fundraising events with large numbers of people in one space, eating and socializing?
Can we acknowledge the first responders? Honor them at our upcoming benefits?
Can we acknowledge our own facilities crew and food service providers for their contribution to the music experience?
What can we learn from the decisions made by our leaders and local businesses during the quarantines?
What did we learn about ourselves and our own needs and apply these lessons to our work in the arts?
How might we be MORE HUMAN when this is all over and done?
