Imagining a New Future for the Arts: Relevancy and Resurgence

If we believe the arts are essential to the wholeness of ourselves and our communities, that they are more than simply entertainment, we must imagine a new future for our work.  How can the arts recapture audiences and donors and energize the idea that they are vital in the next decades?  How can we engage our communities more deeply in the relevance and importance of the arts?  What will it take for us to have a marketing and philanthropic resurgence?  How can we do it?

Kay Sprinkel Grace will open our Arts Reach San Francisco Conference in July with a challenge to us to take a hard look at what is possible as we construct a more dynamic future through collaborative projects, innovative outreach, distinctive programming and messages that convey the substantial impact and purpose of arts in our society.  Kay’s follow-up workshop, “Reimagining Our Work,” will provide a hands-on opportunity to do vital planning for the future.

Workshop: Reimagining Our Work

Politics, Funding and Technology: A Roadmap Through Epochal Change

Change is a given. Systemic collapse is change on a whole different level. The systems, structures and institutions that have supported the making and consumption of culture and that we have all depended on for generations are undergoing historic attack and wrenching transformation. The digital revolution of 20 years ago taught us that those who insist on fighting the battles of the past get crushed in the maw of new technologies driving new systems and rules that we all ultimately have to play by.

How do we survive and adapt to precarious political turmoil, collapse of funding infrastructure, and rising costs that are making sustainability ever more difficult? Artificial intelligence, potentially a game-changer for how arts institutions are run, how art is made, and how we connect with audiences, is certainly part of the answer. This session will give an overview of where technology (particularly AI) is right now from artistic, business, and policy perspectives. We’ll look at how you can capitalize on a technology landscape that is rapidly evolving from platform-based social media into something quite new. And we’ll outline strategies for determining how technologies like AI can work best for your organization.

Cut the Noise: Better Campaign Results with Donor Personas

Are your fundraising campaigns falling short of expectations? Do you struggle to connect with donors in a meaningful way? It's time to cut through the noise and address your donors' real pain points. In this eye-opening session, you'll discover how to harness the power of donor personas to supercharge your campaign results and solve common fundraising challenges.

You'll learn:

• Why traditional segmentation isn't enough in today's crowded fundraising landscape
• How to create detailed, actionable donor personas that go beyond demographics
• Techniques for uncovering and addressing your donors' true pain points and motivations
• Practical strategies for tailoring your messaging and outreach to each persona's specific needs
• Tools to help you easily create your own donor personas and better target your fundraising strategies to them
• Real-world examples of organizations that have transformed their results by addressing donor pain points through personas

Through interactive exercises and case studies, you'll leave this session equipped with the knowledge and tools to create compelling campaigns that resonate with your donors' deepest concerns and aspirations. Whether you're new to persona development or looking to refine your existing approach, this session will help you cut through the noise, address key pain points, and achieve better campaign results.

Join this session and take the first step towards more effective, personalized campaigns that truly speak to your donors' needs and drive real impact for your cause.

Igniting Donors’ Passions at Small to Mid-Size Organizations

What Neuroscience Teaches Us About Our Audiences’ Brains and Behavior

Our brains are real things. It's easy to forget that our brains really call the shots – including how our audiences behave and the audiences that we seek behave.

We're going to revisit our brains. Every department and every initiative we have is brain-adjacent – the UX of our websites, our marketing, donor outreach, personas, upsells, mission, meaning…how many of our mission statements or value propositions say something about changing people's minds, perspectives, or how they see themselves or the world around them? Those are campaigns targeting arts audiences’ brains!

Thanks to modern neuroscience, we know a lot more about how our brains dictate our behavior than we did before. First, we'll check out some of the fresher perspectives on how we process information and experiences.  Then, because human beings don't take action unless their brain is excited to do so, we'll apply it to operating an event-centric organization that encourages participation, belonging, identity, support, and purchases. Let’s get those sparks flying!

Subscriptions Are Evolving. Are You?

With changing demographics, shifts in consumer and social behavior, new technologies, and life in a post-pandemic context, subscription practices are evolving to meet the needs of new audiences.

Hear from our esteemed panel on what they have done to meet the challenge!

Overcoming Donor Fatigue in an Uncertain World

Beyond the Scroll: Use Boosted Posts, Dark Social, and Paid Sponsorships for Exponential Advantage

Beyond the Noise: Three Pillars That Drive Success

Drowning in a sea of competing priorities? Let’s cut through the clutter and uncover the three key principles that will elevate your organization’s performance. This session will equip you with real-world success stories and data-driven strategies to:

• Cultivate growth: Discover untapped revenue opportunities within your existing audiences.
• Reclaim your time: Automate the mundane and empower your team to focus on what matters most – the human touch.
• Forge deep connections: Build authentic relationships with your audiences that drive engagement and loyalty.

Leave behind the noise and join us as we chart a course toward a more impactful, prosperous, and healthy future for your organization.

New Audiences, New Donors, Deeper Connections: The Vital Role of Education Programs

How do we reach new audiences? How do we ensure our sustainability? How do we become a pillar in our local community? 

These are just a few of the questions keeping arts leaders up at night. And while ticket sales are stagnant, audience expectations are up, and resources are tightening, there’s one undeniable bright spot: Education. Classes, workshops, and camps present a major opportunity for arts orgs to reach new audiences of all ages, foster community connection, and drive revenue.

Join Brian Rahill, CEO at CourseStorm, for an actionable session and discussion all about how to build a thriving education program. Whether you're just getting started with classes or looking to take your program to the next level, you’ll walk away with learnings you can put into practice today based on what we’ve seen work for hundreds of arts orgs across the U.S.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• Why learning programs are the ideal complement to your other offerings
• Tips to build a thriving ed program that feeds your whole organization
• How leverage your education program to drive donations
• Real world examples from other arts organizations you can put into practice today